Fake charities often appear after disasters or around emotional causes. They use names and logos that feel familiar, then pressure you to donate before you verify the organization.
Does this affect you?
Use this before donating by phone, text, email, social media, crowdfunding link, or door-to-door solicitation in the United States.
Verify the charity before donating
Do this even when the name sounds familiar.
- Search the exact charity name plus scam, complaints, or reviews in a separate browser search.
- Look it up through BBB Wise Giving Alliance at give.org, Charity Navigator, or CharityWatch.
- Check IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at irs.gov to confirm recognized 501(c)(3) status where applicable.
- Watch for names that are almost the same as well-known charities but one or two words off.
- Donate through the charity’s official website typed directly, not through a link in a text or social post.
- Ask how donations are used and what portion reaches the cause. A legitimate charity should answer clearly.
If you already donated to a fake charity
Act quickly and report the solicitation.
- If you paid by credit or debit card, contact the issuer to dispute the charge.
- If you paid by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, contact the issuer or platform immediately, though recovery is harder.
- Report it to BBB Wise Giving Alliance and your state charity regulator, often the state Attorney General.
- File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov, especially for disaster-related scams.
- If you entered card details on a fake donation page, monitor statements for additional unauthorized charges.
More control
Disasters attract fast fake charities
After hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and other major events, scam donation pages can appear within days. Give to organizations you already trust or verify new ones first.
Pressure is a warning sign
A real charity will not object to you taking time to research before donating. Pressure to give immediately is a reason to pause.
Sources
- FTC Consumer Advice – Before giving to a charity (2025)
- IRS – Tax Exempt Organization Search (2025)
- BBB Wise Giving Alliance – Charity evaluation (2025)
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