Charity scams are alive and well in Canada.  In 2003 the Chronicle of Philanthropy released a report that in North America over $1.28B is lossed due to fraud (and that is only the fraud that is caught!).  This hit home this week when Ashley Kirilow was denied bail for her part in a cancery charity scam.

So what can you do to protect yourself from such scams?  Whether they are false telemarketers, SMS Giving, tax shelters or online appeals it is up to the donor to do his/her due diligence.  Some basic questions to ask:

1. What are you going to do with my money? Who will be getting back to me on this donation? When will you report back to me?
2. The tax receipt CAN NEVER exceed the value of the cash donation the day the funds are transferred.
3. Has the charity adopted the Donor Bill of Rights or the Code of Ethical Fundraising? (See Resources Section of this website for a copy of both)
4. A lot of charities have similar names, it is up to  you to confirm the name corresponds with the charitable registration number.  Remember, not all non-profit organizations are registered charities, it is up to you to confirm by going to the Canada Revenue Agency - Charities Listing website to confirm registration and status of the organization.

Other suggestions you want to share with our readers on protecting yourself from donation scams?