You want to do good to this world and volunteer abroad. But unfortunately, not everyone is as nice as you are. While searching for volunteer opportunities, you may come across dodgy organizations asking for money or donations for no specific reason. Under all circumstances, these costs should be justified.
In other words, if a legitimate volunteer organization has participation fees, they will always tell you where your money goes. In most cases, the price includes accommodation, training costs, food, and support to the local community.
Volunteer scams are out there, but don’t let this scare you. With some thorough research and attention, it’s easy to know how to avoid scams when volunteering.
Is it common to be scammed when volunteering abroad?
Knowing how to avoid scams when volunteering will help you find a meaningful experience that lets you make a difference.
Both when you’re in the process of applying for volunteering projects and when you’re there, you need to be aware of certain scams. Most happen while you’re applying, especially if you contact an untrustworthy organization.
To avoid any disappointment, make sure you’re on the right track right from the beginning and research volunteer organizations carefully. This way, you’ll be fine once you arrive as your hosts will take care of your accommodation, training, and activities. If you know what to look for, you can weed out the scammy organizations with little effort.
4 common volunteer scams
The most common volunteer scams happen before you arrive, as untrustworthy organizations try to take your money with the promise of an amazing volunteer experience abroad. Keep an eye out for these scams:
1. The volunteering organization is fake.
Scammers may create fake websites to promote a volunteer experience that doesn’t exist. Their websites may look too good to be true, with luxury accommodation, great (fake) reviews, and professional-looking photos. Or they may look dodgy, with no photos or clear information about the volunteer experience.
Make sure to check if the organization is legitimate by researching on a few other platforms:
- Look for reviews on various sources like GoAbroad, Reddit, and Quora.
- Give the organization a call to see if their answer is professional and if they’re able to provide more information on the phone.
- Check their social media presence.
2. You’re required to pay hefty fees without explanation.
The reason why there aren’t many free volunteer abroad programs is that they tend to include a lot of other things like accommodation, food, on-site training, and support for local communities. This is justified on organizations’ websites—once you select a program, you’ll see what’s included, how much it costs, and where your money goes.
If an organization wants you to pay excessive fees upfront, that’s a red flag. For most programs, you’re also responsible for booking your own flight tickets and visa appointments. If they tell you flights and visas are included in the price, be careful.
3. The organization hasn’t given any information on the projects.
A legitimate volunteering organization will tell you the details of their projects up front.
Legitimate volunteer programs are transparent about their projects. You need to know where the program takes place, what you’ll be doing, and how long it takes. Check for specific information about start dates, accommodation options, volunteers’ tasks, and activities included. Be cautious if none of these are mentioned on the website.
4. They propose unethical projects.
An organization might seem legit and trustworthy but you still need to check the projects and tasks they’re offering. For example, some scams involve proposing volunteer work at orphanages, without any information on how it benefits the children.
This may include proposing exploitative tasks such as taking inappropriate photos, forcing donations, and giving all the work to volunteers rather than long-term staff members. Especially for childcare volunteer programs, consider if you’re really qualified to work with children and prioritize ethical experiences over orphanage tourism.
How to avoid scams when volunteering
Luckily, you can avoid scams with some research and common sense. Here are some tips on how to avoid scams when volunteering:
1. Book through trustworthy organizations.
Booking through a reputable platform will save you a future headache!
There are several signs you can look for to understand if an organization is trustworthy. Start by checking its website. Trustworthy organizations have home pages, program pages, “About Us” pages, and “Contact Us” pages.
You will also most likely find clear mission statements, staff profiles, and contact information. Be wary of WordPress or Wix domains as most official businesses tend to have their own domains. Once you’ve checked the website, look for reviews and a social media presence.
2. Check for transparency.
Volunteer programs must have clear guidelines, including the activities, responsibilities, and any prerequisites to volunteer. They also make sure to state what’s included in the price in their program materials. This way, you know where your money goes.
3. Read the reviews.
It’s a good sign if the organization has positive experiences from past volunteers. You can start with the organization’s website, but expand your research. Besides the organization’s website, check reviews on GoAbroad, Reddit, Quora, and social media platforms.
4. Ask questions.
If you have any questions about the volunteer opportunity, don’t hesitate to ask the organization to provide more details. Chances are, you’re not the first person to ask these questions. The organization will be happy to make you feel comfortable before booking a volunteering program abroad and help match you with the best program.
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What to do if you encounter a volunteering scam
If you do encounter a scam, stop communicating with the organization and get in touch with your bank.
No matter where you’ve encountered the scam, you should stop communication as soon as possible and let your bank know if you’ve provided your personal details. Keep these tips in mind:
1. Do not provide any personal information.
If you applied for a volunteer opportunity, contacted the organization, and then realized it was a scam, stop answering them as soon as possible. You’ve noticed it early on. Stay calm and don’t provide any personal information.
2. Keep records of your email exchanges to report the scam.
Receipts are key. Take screenshots of your emails and messages. This information may be useful when reporting the scam.
3. Report the scam.
Depending on the country you’re in, report the scam to the local authorities. For example, in the United States, there is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB). If you have provided financial information, contact your bank so they can advise you on what to do next.
4. Write a review to let other travelers know.
Share your experience on travel groups and forums to warn others. On these platforms, you can also read about people’s positive experiences. You can help your fellow travelers understand your experience, and you can get inspiration on where to go as a volunteer while you’re at it.
3 reliable volunteer organizations
Once you find the right organization, you’re well on your way to an amazing experience volunteering.
At GoAbroad, it’s our job to gather reliable volunteer organizations in one place! Here are three amazing organizations offering volunteer experiences in a wide range of destinations, from Africa to Asia:
1. International Volunteer HQ
- Why? International Volunteer HQ offers all types of volunteer experiences, from sea turtle conservation to animal care. Whether you’re a teen, a college student, or a senior, you can find a suitable program all around the world. The organization charges a weekly fee to cover volunteers’ airport pick-ups, orientation, accommodation, breakfast and dinner, and 24/7 in-country support.
- Where? Costa Rica, Argentina, Brazil, Croatia, Greece, Ghana, Kenya, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, and more!
- Fields? Teaching, Marine Conservation, Wildlife, Climate Action, Medical and Health, Dentistry, Construction, Sports, NGO Support, Refugee Support, and more!
- Read IVHQ reviews
2. African Impact
- Why? African Impact organizes volunteer experiences to benefit both volunteers and local communities. Its staff members are all passionate about Africa, and they are committed to responsible volunteering. This means that they are very careful about projects involving children, ensuring all their staff and volunteers have clean criminal records. The program fee goes to The African Impact Foundation, benefiting local communities.
- Where? Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe
- Fields? Teaching, Medical and Healthcare, Sports, Gender Equality, Wildlife Conservation, Marine Conservation, Animal Care, Wildlife Photography, and Environmental Sustainability
- Read African Impact reviews
3. Projects Abroad
- Why? Another trustworthy organization, Project Abroad has volunteering and internship opportunities worldwide. Projects last a minimum of one week and include accommodation, three meals a day, airport pick-ups, training, in-country and pre-departure support, emergency assistance, and social events with other volunteers and staff.
- Where? Botswana, Tanzania, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Romania, Jamaica, Peru, Fiji, and more!
- Fields? Childcare, Teaching, Building, Wildlife Conservation, Marine Conservation, Women’s Empowerment, Sports Coaching, and Archeology
- Read Projects Abroad reviews
Compare these programs side-by-side on MyGoAbroad
With the right preparation, you’ll easily avoid common volunteer abroad scams
Prioritize transparency, book through a legitimate organization, and look for ethical volunteer experiences. Once you know what you’re looking for, you won’t fall for scammy volunteer abroad organizations.
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