The request is not proof. AI lists what it claims. You look up the charity yourself.
New to this? Try the practice first.
Not about a charity? For other odd texts and calls, see Guide 5.
Step 1: Don't pay yet. Cover your details
- Don't click links. Don't call numbers in the request. It's OK to say no or hang up.
- Cover your name, address and any account numbers. Never paste bank or card numbers.
- Never pay by gift card, wire, crypto or cash by mail.
Step 2: Ask AI what the request claims
- Paste the prompt below. Add the letter, text or post after it, as text or a photo. Send.
- Phone call? Type the charity name and what the caller said.
Read this donation request. List what it claims: charity name, cause, where the money goes, how to pay, and any deadline. Quote the exact words for each. List any pressure or payment red flags. Then make a short checklist of what I should look up myself. Do not say if the charity is real or safe. Do not give me phone numbers or links. The request:
Step 3: Check AI against the request
- Find each quoted line in the request yourself. No quote? Don't trust it.
- Check the charity name letter by letter. Scammers use names that sound like real charities.
Step 4: Skip any verdict from AI
- Did AI say the charity is real or safe, or that it looked it up? Skip that part.
- Keep its list of red flags and its checklist. You do the lookups in Step 5.
Step 5: Look it up yourself
- Type each site into your browser yourself. Never use a link or number from the request.
- Want to give? Go to the charity's own website yourself. Check the address letter by letter.
| Check | Where |
|---|---|
| Can gifts to it be tax deductible? | IRS list: apps.irs.gov/app/eos. Search its legal name. Churches may not be listed. |
| Is it registered in your state? | Find your state's charity office at nasconet.org |
| Reports and ratings | give.org or charitynavigator.org |
Before you give this season
- GivingTuesday is December 1, 2026. Giving somewhere new? Check first.
- Most states require charities and their fundraisers to register. Check both with your state.
- A caller is most likely a paid fundraiser, not the charity. Ask them to mail you information.
- Fundraisers can call even if you're on the Do Not Call Registry. Ask to be put on the charity's own do not call list.
- Said you already pledged, or thanked you for a gift you never made? Stop and check.
- Asked to pay by cash, gift card, wire, crypto or a payment app? It's likely a scam. Pay by credit card or check.
- A crowdfunding link pays the organizer, not the charity. Gifts to people are not tax deductible.
- After you give, check your statements. Make sure you didn't sign up for monthly gifts by mistake.
- Report a charity scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state charity office.
Checked: consumer.ftc.gov (Before Giving to a Charity; Donating Safely and Avoiding Scams; Charity Fraud; Give to a charity, not a scam); irs.gov (Tax Exempt Organization Search); nasconet.org; give.org; charitynavigator.org; givingtuesday.org, Oct 18, 2026.
Practice request
PRACTICE - NOT REAL. Made up for this guide. Do not call the number. Do not visit the link.
This made-up text has 3 things to ask about. Can you find them?
==================== PRACTICE - NOT REAL ==================== Text message from: (212) 555-0174 PENNYHOLLOW FAMILY RELIEF FUND (made up - not a real charity) Thank you for your pledge last year! This holiday season, families hit by the storm need help TONIGHT. Every dollar goes straight to families in need. Your gift is 100% tax-deductible. Give $50 by midnight to keep your pledge. Fastest way: buy a gift card and text us the code. Or wire it to our relief account. Give here: pennyhollow-relief.example.org Questions? Call (212) 555-0175. ==================== PRACTICE - NOT REAL ====================
To practice with AI: paste the prompt, then this text. Send. Check its answer with Steps 3 and 4.
How did you do? A good AI answer:
- Lists the name "Pennyhollow Family Relief Fund," the storm cause, how to pay and the midnight deadline, each with a quote.
- Flags the gift card and the wire as payment red flags.
- Flags "TONIGHT," "by midnight" and the thank-you for a pledge as pressure.
- Says "Every dollar goes straight to families" and "100% tax-deductible" are claims you must check. The text gives no details on how the money is used.
- Gives a checklist: the IRS list, your state charity office, a ratings site, and the charity's own site found yourself.
- Does not say the charity is real or safe. Gives no phone number or link, not even the ones in the text.