How do I tell if a charity or donation drive is legitimate?
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
Ask to see the permit before you give. Any person or organization soliciting or receiving contributions from the public for charitable or public-welfare purposes must first secure a permit from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under the Solicitation Permit Law (PD 1564). A drive that covers more than one city or region needs DSWD clearance; a solicitation confined to a single city or municipality falls under that local government's rules, and some groups (such as religious institutions and barangay projects) are exempt. So a legitimate public fund drive can usually show a DSWD solicitation permit with a number and validity period, issues official receipts, and remits to a named organizational account — not a personal e-wallet with an urgent, emotional plea. If a 'charity' cannot show a permit and pressures you to send money fast to a personal number, treat it as a scam: taking money by deceit is estafa (Art. 315, Revised Penal Code), raised one degree if done online (RA 10175). Verify the permit or the organization with the DSWD and report fakes to the DSWD and the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or NBI.
Primary sources
Frequently asked
Does every donation drive need a DSWD permit?
Regional and national public solicitations for charitable or public-welfare purposes require a DSWD permit under PD 1564. A drive confined to one city or municipality is governed by that LGU's rules instead, and some groups — such as religious institutions and barangay projects — are exempt. A legitimate wider drive can usually show its DSWD permit.
What are the red flags of a fake charity?
No permit it can show, pressure to send money immediately, an emotional story paired with a personal GCash/Maya number rather than an organizational account, no official receipts, and a page created very recently with borrowed photos. When in doubt, verify the organization with the DSWD before giving.
What if I already donated to a fake?
Report it. Taking money by deceit is estafa under Art. 315 of the Revised Penal Code, raised one degree if done online under RA 10175. Report to the DSWD and to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or NBI, and tell your bank or e-wallet — early reporting gives the best (never guaranteed) chance of tracing the funds.
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What to do after an online scam — the first-hour playbook, where to report (PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, NBI, DOJ Office of Cybercrime), how to spot and report investment/Ponzi scams to the SEC, phishing and OTP theft, online-shopping fraud (undelivered, fake, or misrepresented goods), romance and job scams, and the legal basis under estafa (Revised Penal Code Art. 315), RA 8484, RA 10175, RA 8792, RA 7394, and RA 8799.