Fake Charity / Disaster Relief Scam
Overview
In the wake of a natural disaster or tragedy, fraudulent charities solicit donations through calls, texts, or social media using names deceptively similar to real, established relief organizations.
How It Works
In the immediate aftermath of a hurricane, wildfire, mass shooting, or other tragedy, scammers quickly set up fake charities with names deceptively similar to real, well-known relief organizations and solicit donations through cold calls, texts, social media posts, and crowdfunding pages. They rely on the emotional urgency of the moment to bypass the scrutiny a donor might otherwise apply, collecting donations that never reach any actual disaster victims.
Red Flags
- A charity name is very similar to, but slightly different from, a well-known organization.
- High-pressure solicitation for immediate donations right after a disaster.
- Vague answers about how the donation will specifically be used.
- Requests to donate via gift card, wire transfer, or cash only.
Where It Spreads
How to Protect Yourself
- Give directly through a charity's official website rather than through a link in a text or email.
- Check a charity's legitimacy on Charity Navigator or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
- Be wary of high-pressure requests for immediate donations right after a disaster.
- Never donate using gift cards or wire transfers.
VerifyGuard scans photos, links, and messages in seconds and flags exactly these kinds of red flags automatically.
Protect Yourself with VerifyGuard →