Bushfires 2013: How you can help

Thousands of people have been displaced by bushfires across Australia, with hundreds of homes and other buildings destroyed in the worst-hit state, Tasmania.

One of the worst-hit settlements was the small town of Dunalley, which lost a third of its buildings, including its school and police station - here's how you can help those in need.

AUSTRALIAN RED CROSS

You can donate to the Tasmanian Bushfires 2013 Appeal via the Australian Red Cross website by clicking here

Or call 1800 811 700 to donate via phone

Or send a cheque/money order to:

Australian Red Cross Supporter Service

GPO Box 2957

Melbourne VIC 8060

Cash donations can be made at Service Tasmania's 27 outlets across the state, or at Australian Red Cross offices in Hobart, Bridgewater, Mowbray and Burnie.

People affected by the bushfires are urged to register their details online with the Australian Red Cross here, or via the State Inquiry Centre on 1800 727 077

VINNIES BUSHFIRE APPEAL 2013

The St Vincent de Paul Society is also running a bushfire appeal. It is appealing for money as well as first aid supplies, sunscreen, Aeroguard, bedding, which can be delivered to the Hobart showgrounds in Glenorchy.

Donate via this website or call 13 18 12 to donate via phone.

TELCO TOGETHER

You can also donate to the Red Cross and Vinnies appeals via Telco Together which has a smartphone app for donating to charities.

TASMANIAN ANGLICAN BUSHFIRE APPEAL

The Anglican Church in Tasmania has launched an appeal for financial donations which it says will be distributed on the ground through local parishes affected by the fires to support people in need.

Click here for details on how to donate via direct bank deposit, cheque or cash, or donate online with a credit card via the Anglicare website: .

Or you can call 1800 243 232 to make a credit card donation by telephone.

ROTARY TASMANIA BUSHFIRE APPEAL

At time of writing Rotary Tasmania has launched a bushfire appeal, details here

However, it says tax-deductable donations to the recovery efforts in southern states can be made through the Rotary Australia Benevolent Society Fires Appeal here, (DGR registered)

FUND RAISERS

Melbourne Victory and the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) have pledged to donate $5 for every adult ticket, $3 for every concession ticket and $1 to the Red Cross Tasmanian Bushfire Fund for every child's ticket sold for this weekend's match at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

Not sure if a charity is legitimate?

If you come across a charity that is collecting funds of a bushfire appeal there are some simple steps you can take to check out its credibility. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) recommends searching its register of 56,000 charities.

"Once you've found a charity on the ACNC register, click on its ABN to check whether it has Deductible Gift Recipient [DGR] status," says David Locke, assistant commissioner at ACNC. "Donations to a charity without DGR are not tax deductible."

Mr Locke says the same applies if you're approached for donations in person - ask for identification and a receipt with the charity's details and ABN number.

"Assess the organisation's trustworthiness and ask for a return phone number before providing any personal, credit card or online account details," he says. Also be wary of unsolicited emails asking for donations.

Are you a legitimate charity with a bushfire fund? Email details to: sbsnews@sbs.com.au