How Charity Scammers are Taking Advantage of Catastrophic Events: Scambusters #1,180
Charity scams take advantage of our kindness and willingness to help others. Scammers often act during natural disasters, humanitarian crises, or local fundraising efforts to steal money and personal information from good-hearted donors.
Today, with the ease of online giving, it’s essential to know the signs of charity fraud. Protect yourself from being tricked by being aware of these warning signs.
The Dark Side of Giving – When Charity Turns to Fraud
Charity scams happen when fraudsters pretend to be real charities or make up fake ones to collect donations. These scams often increase during times of strong emotions, like holidays, after natural disasters, or following major news events. Scammers may reach out through phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, crowdfunding sites, or even in person.
What’s their goal? To make you believe your money is going to a good cause, when in reality, it’s going straight into their pockets.
Types of Charity Scams
Current charity scams often revolve around natural disasters and other worldly catastrophic events. Some disaster events that people donate to are:
- Natural Disasters – hurricanes, wildfires, floods
- International Crises – refugee support, war relief
- Health-related Causes – cancer research, rare disease treatments
- Animal Causes – rescue, protection, conservation
- Fake GoFundMe – accounts created after a tragedy or personal hardship
Scammers may also mimic real organizations with convincing websites, logos, and names that closely resemble legitimate charities.
Top 10 Charity Scams to Watch Out For
- Fake Disaster Relief Charities – Scammers appear after every disaster, asking for donations to “help victims.”
- Impersonation of Legitimate Charities – Scammers use similar names and fake websites to confuse donors.
- Bogus Crowdfunding Campaigns – Fake GoFundMe or similar pages claiming to help individuals in need.
- Emotional Pet Rescues – Scammers use heartbreaking animal stories to pull at your heartstrings.
- Veteran Support Scams – Exploiting sympathy for military families and injured soldiers.
- Medical Emergency Scams – Fake fundraisers for children or individuals with serious illnesses.
- Phone Solicitation Fraud – Callers pretending to be from a known charity asking for immediate donations.
- Door-to-Door "Charity" Collections – Scammers are going from neighborhood to neighborhood seeking cash donations.
- Email and Social Media Scams – Links to fake donation pages disguised as emergency appeals.
- Matching Donation Scams – Fake promises that your donation will be “matched” by a sponsor to double the impact.
Where Do Scammers Find Their Victims?
Scammers are everywhere, but they commonly find victims through:
- Social media platforms
- Email lists and phishing scams
- Phone directories
- Crowdfunding sites
- Public forums, online communities, and local news stories
They often take advantage of emotionally vulnerable moments and trending news topics to reach as many people as possible.
Do Scammers Target a Specific Population?
Absolutely yes! While anyone can be a victim, scammers often target:
- Older adults who may be less familiar with online scams
- Young online donors moved by emotional appeals
- Communities affected by recent tragedies
- Military families and veterans
- People with strong religious or humanitarian beliefs
Scammers adjust their message to fit the interests and concerns of the group they are targeting.
Below is a fictitious example of a charity scam.
The “Hope for Hannah” Fundraiser
After a widely reported tragic accident in a small rural town involving a young girl named “Hannah,” a fake social media campaign called “Hope for Hannah” went viral. A GoFundMe page asked for $50,000 to cover her medical expenses. The story included photos (stolen from a real incident), tear-jerking updates, and hundreds of fake comments showing support.
Within 10 days, the page raised $42,000. But there was no Hannah, no accident, and the page was created by an anonymous scammer in another country. Once the money was withdrawn, the page was deleted, and all communication stopped.
It does not take long for a scammer to take the money and run.
A Scammer’s Step-by-Step Charity Scam
- Choose a Trending Topic or Tragedy – The scammer selects a current disaster, crisis, or personal tragedy.
- Create a Fake Name or Charity – They may invent a new charity or impersonate an existing one.
- Design a Website or Crowdfunding Page – They use stolen images, fake testimonials, and emotional language.
- Launch a Campaign – This can be via social media, email blasts, or paid ads.
- Push Urgency – “Donate now—every second counts!” is a common tactic.
- Collect Donations – They may accept credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, crypto, or bank transfers.
- Disappear – Once enough money is collected or suspicion arises, they delete the page and vanish.
Are Charity Scammers Domestic or International?
Charity scams exist both locally and internationally. Some scammers operate from nearby areas, while many are based in countries with weak laws against cybercrime. This makes it hard to prosecute them and nearly impossible to get back lost money in some cases.
Watch for These Red Flags to Recognize a Charity Scam
- High-pressure tactics to donate immediately
- Lack of detailed information about how funds will be used
- No verifiable website or contact information
- Refusal to send written materials or proof of legitimacy
- Emotional stories without credible sources
- Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto donations
- A name very similar to a well-known charity
Important! Always verify organizations to be sure they are legitimate. These sites are a good starting point:
What to Do If You Become a Victim of a Charity Scam
- Report It Immediately to the FTC , your state’s Attorney General, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Contact your bank or payment processor and request a chargeback or stop payment if possible.
- Consider a fraud alert or credit freeze if personal information was shared.
- Let others know about the scam so they don’t fall for it.
Resources for Victims of Charity Scams
- Federal Trade Commission
- Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
- AARP Fraud Watch Network – Especially helpful for seniors. Call 877-908-3360 or go to the helpline
Check out the videos below for more tips on keeping yourself safe from charity scams.
Summary
Charity scams are a sad reality in today's digital world. While many people involved in charities truly want to help, a few bad actors can damage public trust. The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed and cautious.
By recognizing the red flags, checking if charities are legitimate, and being careful about where and how you donate, you can make sure your generosity helps those in need instead of filling a scammer’s pockets. Give from the heart—but use your head.
Remember, Stay Alert and Stay Informed!