Not to state the obvious

[LuvOrlando]

But there are click and donate banners all over the place, anyone know if they are vetted at all and if so, by whom? I was on Youtube, saw yet another one of the dozens I see a day and had an awful thought when I considered if these banners are not being watched what are the chances is if people are donating money that is being redirected to the exact opposite of their cause. Is there anything preventing this?

During 9/11 I remember the CF with Red Cross where the US gov needed to claw money intended for 9/11 victims and their families away from RC pet projects because the charity felt it was their prerogative to redirect money from where donors intended things to go. It's a sticky thing & we live in crazy times with devious people out and about.

What I WANT to hear is, "Of course, everything posted needs to get screened by XYZ.gov and is audited all the time.", but somehow I suspect this might not be what's going on...

 

[_19disnA]

I think most of those 'donation' sites that suddenly appear anytime there is some natural disaster or world event are likely scams and they just pocket the money for themselves. Most of that seems poorly moderated/regulated so virtually anyone can start a website asking for donations. The fact they suddenly appear when there is something going on makes me suspicious of their real motives.

It is anyone's guess if sites that suddenly appear on social media are legit.

I would only donate through known/reputable organizations to avoid being scammed.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I agree, but I wonder how many people think they are legit and drop hard earned money into them Would the funds, could the funds be stopped or recovered?

This is the sort of upsetting random stuff that swirls in my head considering all the signs I see up warning people of fraud anywhere money can be transferred...sigh...

 

[_19disnA]

Some people are just naive and fall for that sort of thing. And there also a fair number of shady characters who have no problem scamming others out of their money. Even some of the well-known non-profits are basically running a business to generate $$$ to mostly pay themselves salaries and are taking advantage of the tax laws. Very little of what gets donated ever goes to the cause they claim to support. Those 'pathetic dog commercials' currently running a lot on TV are from an organization where something like 95% of what you donate is used to run the business. If you want to support homeless animal shelters better to just go there and make a donation so it actually does some good. Another one claims you can donate to 'adopt' an elephant, but then later in the commercial the fine print says you are 'symbolically' adopting and the money just goes to their general fund.

If you really want to donate, there are several websites that track how effective the known non-profits are in actually getting money to the causes they claim to champion. I would never donate to some unknown group who just magically appeared recently asking for your money.