I wanted to help after the disaster. The charity was fake.

After a major disaster filled the news, I donated through a social media appeal that copied photos from the ground and named a charity I assumed was new.

The site took card payments instantly.

Receipts were vague, and when I searched the domain a week later it was gone.

Journalists published a list of fake fundraising URLs tied to the same event; mine was on it.

Disaster charity fraud times urgent graphics to bypass verification; money goes to criminals, not shelters or food lines.

Legitimate groups were still fundraising while I had funded a parked domain.

While I checked out I told myself speed mattered more than cross-checking because survivors needed cash that night.

The real relief fund posted the official donation URL on verified accounts; comparing it side by side with mine showed different registrars and spelling.

I felt angry at myself and robbed of the good I meant to do; reporting the charges and domain at least fed anti-fraud databases.

I donate now only through established charities or .gov relief links I verify from second sources.

• Verify disaster appeals with Charity Navigator, gov disaster pages, or newsroom verified lists.
• Report fake fundraisers to payment providers and consumer fraud lines.

For more help, see our Report a scam page and Spot and avoid scams guide.