The Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. is advising consumers to avoid charities that have sprung up in response to the Pakistan flood disaster. (Tim Wimborne/Reuters)

By CBC News

The flooding in Pakistan has led to desperate appeals for money by various organizations, but some may not be legitimate charities.

The Federal Trade Commission in the U.S. is advising consumers to avoid charities that have sprung up in response to the disaster.

Donating money to established national and international organizations that have the means and experience to deliver aid is the best way to go, according to the FTC.

To avoid charity fraud, the FTC also offers these tips:

• Ask for the charity's name, address, phone number and written information about its programs.
• Ask whether the person asking for a donation is a professional fundraiser, and how much of the donation goes to actual programs.
• Avoid high-pressure pitches.
• Avoid charities that offer to send a courier to collect money.
• Avoid charities that guarantee sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a contribution.
  

Read more.

Do you have more questions about charity fraud? Owen Charters, executive director of CanadaHelps, has offered to answer them. Send your questions via email to yournews@cbc.ca with "Charity fraud" in the subject line, or via Facebook and Twitter by Aug. 31. We'll post his responses next week.

Can you spot a fake charity? Take this charity fraud awareness quiz, adapted from a survey by CanadaHelps and Capital One.