When donating, support those in need, not a scammer
Scammers set up fake charities or impersonate real relief organizations after disasters to trick you into donating money that never reaches victims.
How it works
After a major hurricane, flood, earthquake, or other disaster, you receive an email, text, phone call, or see an ad asking for donations to help affected people. The scammer claims to represent a charity or relief organization. You send money, thinking it will help disaster victims. Instead, the scammer keeps it.
Red flags to watch for
- Charity with no website, no track record, or very new online presence
- They pressure you to donate immediately in cash or wire transfer
- They refuse to provide a tax ID number or won't answer basic questions about how funds are used
- The name is similar to a well-known charity but spelled slightly differently
- They contact you unsolicited by email or phone after a disaster hits the news
What to do
Do not donate based on unsolicited contact or emotional appeals after a disaster. Instead, go directly to the websites of established charities you know (Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, etc.) or check Charity Navigator and GuideStar to verify the organization is real and legitimate. If you have already donated to a suspicious charity, report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
If this reached you
Source: FTC . Scam Sentinel summarizes official guidance in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.