Fake charity and disaster donation scams

Before you give, look the charity up yourself. Never pay a donation with cash, a gift card, a wire transfer or cryptocurrency.

If this is happening to you right now

Stop. Do not pay, click, or share any code or password.
Hang up or stop replying.
Tell someone you trust. Scammers want it kept secret.
Look up the real number yourself before calling anyone back.

I already paid or shared something

How this scam works

After a hurricane, flood, earthquake or other disaster, the FTC says scammers may create fake charities that seem official, or pretend to be well-known charities so the familiar name draws your donation. If you donate to a fake, your money goes to the scammer, not to people in need.
The FTC says some scammers thank you for a donation you never made, to trick you into paying. Some use names that sound a lot like real charities, and some make vague, sentimental claims without saying how your donation will be used.
Scammers can change caller ID to make a call look like it comes from a local number (FTC).

Warning signs

You are pushed to give right now.
The caller asks for cash, gift cards, a wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
They will not send you information or answer questions about how the money is used.
You are thanked for a pledge you do not remember making.
The charity name is close to a famous one, or it appeared right after a disaster.
A text-to-donate number you cannot match to the charity's own website.
The group says your donation is tax-deductible, but you cannot confirm it.

What to do

Take your time. Tell callers to send information by mail (FTC).
Search for the charity's name plus "complaint," "review," "rating" or "scam" (FTC).
Look the charity up with the groups the FTC names for charity research, such as CharityWatch and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (Give.org). Find out how much of your donation reaches the people the charity says it helps.
The FTC says the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search can tell you whether a donation would be tax deductible.
If someone asks you to donate by text, check the charity's own website first and confirm you have the right number (FTC).
The FTC says paying by credit card or check is safer. Keep a record of every donation and check your statements for amounts you did not agree to, including recurring donations.
Most states require a charity or its fundraiser to register before asking for donations. You can find your state charity regulator through the National Association of State Charity Officials (nasconet.org).

Where to report it

FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov (the FTC also asks you to share the name of the organization or fundraiser, the phone number, and what was said)
Your state charity regulator: nasconet.org
Your state attorney general or consumer office: State directory

More: full reporting directory · what to do after you paid · family safety plan

Common questions

Is a charity real if a friend shared it on social media?

No. The FTC says do not assume a cause is legitimate because a friend posted it; research it yourself first.

How should I pay a donation?

The FTC says do not donate to anyone who says you can only pay by cash, gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency, because legitimate charities accept donations in many ways. The FTC says paying by credit card or check is safer, and to keep a record of every donation.

Sources

Last verified: October 18, 2026. We link to the original public pages. Agency advice can change; check the linked page.

When donating, support those in need, not a scammer (FTC Consumer Alert; Aug 27, 2026)
Donating Safely and Avoiding Scams (FTC; undated page)
Charity Fraud (FTC Pass It On; undated page)
National Association of State Charity Officials (live site, read Oct 18, 2026)