Safe Ways to Send Help to Afghanistan and Avoid Scams

Generosity runs deep in Afghan culture, and many people abroad want to help relatives, neighbours and strangers in need. Sadly, kindness can also attract people who try to take advantage of it. A few careful habits can protect your money and make sure your help reaches the people you intend.

Verify the person or cause

Before sending help, make sure you know who you are dealing with. If a request comes from someone you do not know well, ask a trusted relative or mutual friend to confirm the story. Be careful with messages from new numbers claiming to be a family member, and call the person on a number you already have to check.

• Confirm requests through a second, trusted contact
• Check that names and phone numbers match what you already know
• Be wary of accounts or profiles created very recently
• Never share verification codes, passwords or card details in chat

Prefer traceable payments

Payments that leave a record are safer than cash handed through several people. Paying by card or a recognised payment service creates a trail you can refer back to if something goes wrong. On Yar, you can pay by card, HesabPay or arrange payment through WhatsApp or bank transfer, in USD or EUR, and you receive confirmation of your order.

Be wary of urgency and pressure

Scams often rely on panic: a message saying money must be sent within the hour, a story that changes each time you ask a question or a refusal to let you verify anything. Genuine needs can be urgent, but honest people understand when you take a moment to check. If you feel rushed, pause and talk to someone you trust.

How Yar helps keep giving safe

When you send gifts or food through Yar, the courier calls the recipient before arriving and photographs the handover, and you receive the photo by WhatsApp or email. You can follow your order on the tracking page. If delivery is not possible, you receive a full refund within 5 business days.

For community fundraisers, Yar reviews every fundraiser before it goes live and may call the organiser and check their ID. Donations are made by card or HesabPay; Yar keeps 5% for payment costs and pays the rest to the organiser. Yar is not a registered charity, and donations are not tax-deductible unless the organiser says otherwise. Even with review, read each description carefully and give to causes you feel confident about.

Trust your instincts

If something feels wrong, it is fine to say no or to help in a different way, for example by sending food directly instead of cash. Careful giving is still generous giving.

Have questions about a payment or delivery? Visit our help page for guidance.