Consumer & Retail · Fraud Guide
Charity / Donation Scams
Also known as: Fake Charity Scam, Disaster Relief Scam, Veterans Charity Scam
MODERATE
Severity
$100–$5,000
Typical Loss
501
Articles in Archive
Who is targeted: Generous people, particularly older adults who donate regularly. Scammers target after disasters and during holidays.
Charity scams spike after every major disaster and during the holiday giving season.
Phase 1 · Awareness
▼
Your generosity is a target. Make sure your donation reaches real people.
Scammers create fake charities or impersonate real ones. They use emotional appeals tied to disasters, veterans, or sick children. The charity sounds real, but no one in need receives a dollar.
Key signs:
⚠ High-pressure demanding immediate donation.
⚠ Name similar to — but not exactly — a known organization.
⚠ Can't provide written information about mission or financials.
How It Works
1
You receive a solicitation for what appears to be a legitimate cause.
2
The name sounds similar to a well-known organization.
3
High-pressure tactics and emotional stories secure donations.
4
Payment requested via hard-to-trace methods.
5
Your donation goes to the scammer.
All Warning Signs
⚠ High-pressure demanding immediate donation.
⚠ Name similar to — but not exactly — a known organization.
⚠ Can't provide written information about mission or financials.
⚠ Payment in cash, gift cards, or wire transfer.
⚠ Thanks you for a donation you don't remember making.
Phase 2 · Prevention
▼
Giving safely and effectively.
Research charities before donating.
Use Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
Donate directly through the charity's official website.
Don't follow links in emails or give to callers.
Never donate via gift cards or wire transfer.
Legitimate charities accept checks and credit cards.
Research charities before donating.
Use Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
Donate directly through the charity's official website.
Don't follow links in emails or give to callers.
Never donate via gift cards or wire transfer.
Legitimate charities accept checks and credit cards.
Be cautious of emotional appeals tied to current events.
Give to established organizations rather than unfamiliar ones.
Ask for the charity's EIN.
Verify through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
Phase 3 · Detection
▼
Signs a charity may be a scam.
Watch for:
🔍 Can't tell you how money will be used.
🔍 Not registered with your state's charity regulator.
🔍 Pressure to donate right now.
Immediate action:
→ Don't donate until verified.
All Warning Signals
🔍 Can't tell you how money will be used.
🔍 Not registered with your state's charity regulator.
🔍 Pressure to donate right now.
🔍 No independent information online.
What To Do Right Now
→ Don't donate until verified.
→ Check Charity Navigator or GuideStar.
→ Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
→ Report to your state attorney general.
Phase 4 · Recovery
▼
Recovery after a charity scam.
First steps:
→ Dispute credit card charges.
→ Alert your bank if you shared account info.
→ Report to FTC and state attorney general.
Financial Recovery
→ Dispute credit card charges.
→ Alert your bank if you shared account info.
→ Report to FTC and state attorney general.
→ File at ic3.gov.
Emotional Recovery
You donated because you wanted to help. That generosity is admirable.
Contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
From the Archive
501 articles about charity / donation scams
Browse all articles → · Search within this category →
floridabar.org
· 2026-03-21
wyomingnews.com
· 2026-03-21
buffalobulletin.com
· 2026-03-21
henricocitizen.com
· 2026-03-18
cybersecurityventures.com
· 2026-03-18
nationaltoday.com
· 2026-03-17
mynbc5.com
· 2026-03-14
welch.senate.gov
· 2026-03-14
shorelinemedia.net
· 2026-03-12
newsroom.paypal-corp.com
· 2026-03-10