Who: The FTC collects reports of charity and donation scams.
When to use: Use when a "charity" was fake or misrepresented.
What to prepare:
- Name of organization
- How they contacted you
- Amount if given
Go to FTC ReportFraud~5 min
Category: Prizes & charity
Charity & donation scams
How it often plays out
After a disaster, Rita gets a call from a “relief fund” that sounds official. She donates by wire. Later she learns the charity doesn’t exist or the number was a scammer. Her money never reached victims. Fake charities use real tragedies to rush people into giving before they can verify; real charities can be checked at IRS.gov or Charity Navigator. Her money never reached victims—it went to a scammer who sounded official and urgent.
How to spot it
Common red flags: pressure to act immediately, requests for payment by gift card or wire, offers that seem too good to be true, or unsolicited requests for your personal or financial details.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Verify the charity at IRS.gov or Charity Navigator before giving.
- Save the website, email, or phone number used to solicit you.
- Report to the FTC and your state Attorney General.
Don't
- Give cash, wire, or gift cards to an unverified charity.
- Donate under pressure or to newly created "relief" funds without checking.
- Assume a name that sounds official is a real charity.
Summary & what to do
Fake charities or disaster relief appeals pressure you to donate. Verify charities at Charity Navigator or the IRS before giving. Report fake charities to the FTC and state AG.
What to do right now
- Do not give cash, wire, or gift cards. Verify the charity at IRS.gov or Charity Navigator.
- Save the website, email, or phone number used to solicit you.
- Report to the FTC and your state Attorney General.
Where to report
Who: Your state Attorney General often handles charity fraud.
When to use: Use to report fake charities in your state.
What to prepare:
- Charity name
- What happened
Build your knowledge: Recommended reading — books & free websites on financial literacy and fraud awareness