New guide aims to make online donations safer

The internet and social media have made it easier than ever to give money, particularly through crowdfunding services such as GoFundMe. But online giving doesn’t come without risks.

A new guide distributed by N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall offers tips on how to make online charitable donations safely.

“Giving online offers speed and convenience, but I urge everyone to ask some questions before clicking the donate button to make sure that they are doing the maximum good with each charitable dollar,” Marshall said in a statement.

The Online Giving Donor & Consumer Guide highlights the kind of information a donor should request when making a charitable donation through an online platform or app.

Among the questions: How much of your money is going to the cause you’re trying to support?

And some platforms keep a percentage as a handling fee. Make sure they tell you up front how much the fee is, the guide recommends.

Donors should also ask when your charity will receive the money, according to the guide. For example, when you donate via text, the charity doesn’t get the money until you pay your next phone bill, which will include the donation.

If you’re trying to donate money quickly, experts recommend giving directly to the charity on its website. That way you'll know how much they’ll receive and when, and you should be able to get a receipt for tax purposes. Not all donations on peer-to-peer apps are tax deductible.

The guide also recommends that donors make sure that the donation website has a secure link—look for the “https” at the start of the page address. And it’s safest to donate to a charity that’s registered with the state, the guide says. You can find a list online at the North Carolina secretary of state’s office.