THE Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has urged people to beware of charity fraud this Christmas.
The organisation said anyone considering making a donation should carry out some simple checks.
Tom McGrath, chief charity commissioner, said: "Most requests for donations will be genuine but with fraud becoming more sophisticated it’s important that you have full confidence in who you’re giving to."
At present, there are 5,300 charities registered and listed on the public register of charities
Safer Christmas giving tips from the Charity Commission:
:: Check the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland website for the registration list of charities
:: If the charity has been registered by the Charity Commission then search for it via the public register of charities to find out important information on its charitable purposes and public benefit
:: To donate online to a particular charity, look for that charity's website. Check that you have the right web address
:: Be careful when responding to emails or clicking links on emails. Always check emails are genuine by looking out for spelling mistakes or other signs that the email is not genuine. If you have any concerns, don't hesitate to contact the charity directly
:: Check whether a collector has the authority to collect. A permit or license is usually required if raising money in a public place. These permits are obtained through the PSNI at present
:: Ask the collector how much of your donation goes to the charity. There's no fixed rule about what percentage should be given to charity, but our advice is for people to ask what proportion of gross profit goes to the charity. This allows you to make an informed choice before you give
:: Ask the collector for more information about what donations will be used for. A genuine charity will understand that you may wish to know more and should be happy to answer questions
:: Check that the collection tin is sealed and that it is not damaged
:: If in doubt send your donation directly to the charity
:: It is always good practice for charities to tell you how your money has been used after you have given via emails, newsletters or other communications.
