How to Give Safely When a Charity Calls You
Pause charity calls, verify the name and tax status, then pay by card or check to keep a clear record.
To give safely when a charity calls you, tell the caller you will check first and call back. Do not share payment details during that first call. A charity call often comes from a paid fundraiser, meaning a for-profit telemarketer hired to seek donations for a named charity.
The Federal Trade Commission says those callers must state the charity name and donation purpose promptly, as explained in the FTC alert on for-profit charitable callers.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 10, 2026.
What the caller must tell you
Paid charitable callers must promptly disclose the charity identity and that the call seeks a donation. They must not call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
They must not misrepresent the charity mission or how donations are used. They must transmit caller-ID showing the charity or fundraiser plus a callback number. Write down the charity name, caller name, callback number, and stated purpose.
If the caller refuses details, rushes payment, or blocks caller-ID, end the call and check independently.
How to check the name before you give
Callers may use well-known names, sound-alike names, or mention sweepstakes prizes to prompt quick payment. The Federal Trade Commission says impersonation is a common tactic, described in the FTC alert on charity and sweepstakes impersonation. Pause the appeal and gather exact identifiers before you decide: Do not rely on the callback number alone.
Contact the charity through details you find yourself.
- Ask for the exact legal name, website, mailing address, and how the gift will be used.
- Search that exact name online with "scam," "review," or "complaint" and compare results.
- Check watchdog reports from BBB Wise Giving Alliance, CharityWatch, Charity Navigator, and Candid, listed in Federal Trade Commission donating-safely guidance.
How to confirm tax status and records
The Internal Revenue Service offers Tax Exempt Organization Search by legal name or EIN. The Internal Revenue Service says the tool shows active tax-exempt status, tax-deductible status, and links to Form 990 filings, detailed in the IRS search for tax-exempt organizations. Use the legal name from the caller, not a nickname or slogan.
Confirm spelling, city, and EIN match across the IRS result, charity website, and mailed materials. Most states also require charities and professional fundraisers to register with the state charity regulator, usually the attorney general. Federal Trade Commission guidance points donors to the National Association of State Charity Officials directory to find that regulator and confirm registration.
How to pay and limit future calls
Refuse demands to pay only by cash, gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. The Federal Trade Commission says credit card or check is safer and creates a record, noted in the FTC Giving Tuesday alert on donating safely. Charity calls are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry, according to the Federal Communications Commission consumer guide.
You can still demand placement on that charity's internal do-not-call list, which the charity must honor. Keep the receipt, amount, date, and charity contact details with your tax records.