Four Tips to Avoid Nepal Earthquake Relief Scams

Nepal is slowly getting back on its feet after the devastating calamity that struck on April 25 2015. The earthquake was a monstrous 7.9 on the Richter scale. According to various news sources, nearly 8 million people were affected by the earthquake. And the death toll is close to 4,800 people. In this grave hour of crisis, help from all over the world came pouring in for the people in Nepal. Many organizations have also stepped up to raise funds in the form of donations to help the affected people. A glaring example is Facebook, which has started a campaign urging users to come forward and support the victims. So, if you too are thinking to make a donation to any charitable organization, ensure that your money goes into the right hands. It is highly probable that scammers and cyber thugs will soon come up with disaster-relief scams to trick people. Hence, here are a few key rules to follow and keep in mind before you donate.

Nepal Earthquake Donation Charity

Only trust organizations you know
It is safer to donate to well-known and well-established charitable organizations. Avoid newly created startups. You might be approached by many non-profit groups. Do a little bit of research on these groups before you proceed.

Beware of charity requests on email or social media
The social media has proved to be one of the most powerful tools when it comes to moving people together towards a cause. So, you can expect posts on your timeline having pitiful images and videos urging you to make a donation by clicking on a link. Before you proceed, verify the name of the organization or the website that has make this request. Run a Google search on it, enquire about it with your friends or someone you know from Nepal itself. Doing this is important because you do not want to land on a fake website and hand over your bank account details to a scammer.

Avoid pop-up ads or notification messages on websites
You might also come across pop-up ads on certain websites you visit, asking for your help towards the Nepal earthquake relief. It is always recommend to avoid clicking on such pop-up windows, because it is highly probable that these are fake or are designed to drop a malware on your system.

Refer to trusted sources to verify charitable organizations
Charity Navigator, Guidestar and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance are websites that help you run a quick background check on charitable organizations. Also, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (an association of charities that plays an important role in accrediting charities), has also released a list of verified charities who are collecting contributions to assist Nepal relief efforts. Here’s the list.

For now, a convenient and safe way to donate to Nepal earthquake relief is via Facebook. You must have received a notification on your timeline about the same. Here’s hoping a speedy recovery for all the folks in Nepal and people in India who were too affected by this incident.

Rajiv Singha

Rajiv Singha


26 Comments

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  1. Avatar ASHOK SHARMAApril 30, 2015 at 12:25 PM

    I request to Nepal government please help to rural area person.

    Thanking you

    Ashok sharma (INDIA)

    Reply
  2. sorry god bless you

    Reply
  3. Avatar Mayur NariyaApril 30, 2015 at 1:15 PM

    god blase of napal civilion
    i pray to god they are become normal as well as soon

    Reply
  4. Avatar s.narayananApril 30, 2015 at 1:20 PM

    dear friend,

    ur hard earned money should be spent for good cause like nepal victims due to earthquake

    be aware before donating tks and rgds

    narayanan

    Reply
  5. Avatar SATHEENDRANApril 30, 2015 at 1:23 PM

    Good information to avoid scams and cyber crime.

    Reply
  6. it is better to donate to p.m. relief fund

    Reply
  7. Avatar sumit jainApril 30, 2015 at 5:31 PM

    dude our government is helping them and we also by paying tax..and if we help them then our govt will give us relief of the same donated amount..

    Reply
    • Avatar Swanay MohantyApril 30, 2015 at 10:46 PM

      Actually the government will give deductions only if you have donated in specific funds and institutions mentioned under section 80G of I.T Act

      Reply
  8. 5* For Quickhil Total security.I love this.

    Reply
  9. Avatar MAHENDRA PRATAP SINGHApril 30, 2015 at 9:00 PM

    Good information to avoid scams and cyber crime.

    Reply
  10. Avatar RAJESH JAINApril 30, 2015 at 10:39 PM

    i pray to god to not to come again earth quick , safe all people of nepal.

    Reply
  11. Avatar Mursed AlamMay 1, 2015 at 12:22 AM

    please God help to Nepal’s people. help to us.

    Reply
  12. Avatar P K RAJANMay 1, 2015 at 4:34 AM

    We should willfully donate to the victims, but it must go to the right one.

    Thanks for the timely information to avoid scams and cyber crime.

    Reply
  13. Avatar Ramesh chandra paniMay 1, 2015 at 5:38 AM

    thanks for the timely reminder. the net is full with such false advertisements f0r many nongenuine organisations. thanks

    Reply
  14. Avatar prakash thakurMay 1, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    well, very important information in right time to avoid scams

    Reply
  15. Avatar milind chandweMay 1, 2015 at 10:40 AM

    Thank You.
    But we have to move towards type 2 civilization which can control power of earth.

    Reply
  16. Avatar PRAKASH KARNANIMay 1, 2015 at 11:01 AM

    IF YOU REALLY WANT TO DONATE,
    DONATE
    IN
    PRIME MINISTERS RELIEF FUND.

    THIS IS BEST, TO AVOID MISUNDERSTANDS IN MIND, WHERE , WHO, WHY

    Reply
  17. Avatar Madhukar LoheMay 1, 2015 at 12:02 PM

    Safesst way to donate in govt agency that is prime minister relief fund,also you can write to pmo regarding any account formed by govt for this purpose,even in bihar & some part of up there r affected people,while donating we should be very carefull.

    Reply
  18. Avatar S.ChandrasekaranMay 1, 2015 at 1:25 PM

    Help is required at the right time to the needy. It can be achieved only though right people. Donate through reliable source. A good advice. Thanks

    Reply
  19. Avatar MJF LION KESHAV PHATAK VDG 1 DIST 323 D 1 LY 15-16May 1, 2015 at 2:37 PM

    Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), World’s No. 1 NGO has already granted $200000/- for immediate relief and Lions Clubs in Nepal and India are engaged in relief work.
    Several Bank details are available on http://www.lcif.org or http://www.lionsclubs.org

    Reply
  20. THANK U FOR REMINDER AND ALERT…..

    Reply
  21. Avatar Shanmukha BKMay 1, 2015 at 9:29 PM

    It is very good contribution to Nepal Victims. is one way to avoid the leakage of money.

    Reply
  22. They all are our people, please help them.

    Reply
  23. Avatar SONIA RAJPUTMay 4, 2015 at 5:44 PM

    learn it that nature has its own rules none can change it,god help them who are alive and give peace of them soul who are not alive.we indians are with nepal in every condition.

    Reply
  24. Avatar ArvinandhJune 18, 2015 at 5:05 AM

    God help the people of Nepal! Let the people donate to the PM’s relief funds to build a stronger Nepal. While rebuilding, the government has to ensure safety and health across Nepal and make SURE that it will build earthquake resistant buildings no matter the cost. It is a governments duty to serve the people and for the people to serve the government.

    Reply