This whole thing is kind of pathetic...
Considerations before giving to a charity, for those based in the US - http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0074-giving-charity
Advice for Australians - http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/charityscams
e.g.
- The person tries to put pressure on you by making you feel guilty or selfish if you don’t want to donate.
It seems like here people won't do anything.
- The person asking for money cannot or will not give you details about the charity, such as its full name, tax status, address or phone number.
- The person gets defensive if you ask any questions about what the charity does and how much of the donation gets taken up by costs.
- The person doesn’t want to give you a receipt. Or, they give you a receipt that does not have the charity’s details on it.
- etc...