Fake Charity Scams
A pushy 'charity' — often after a disaster — pressures you to donate right now by app or gift card.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
Scammers pose as a charity, frequently after a disaster or during the holidays, and pressure you to give immediately. They use emotional appeals and vague names, and ask for money by gift card, Cash App, wire, or crypto — methods real charities don't rely on and that can't be traced or refunded.
What it usually looks like
- An unsolicited plea to donate to disaster or hardship victims.
- Pressure to give right now, with claims like '100% goes to victims'.
- A request to pay by Cash App, gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency.
Common warning signs
- High-pressure, emotional urgency to donate immediately.
- A vague or unfamiliar charity name you can't verify.
- Payment requested by untraceable methods.
Example wording scammers use
“I'm collecting for hurricane victims — 100% helps families. Send whatever you can via Cash App, every dollar counts.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- A quick, untraceable donation before you can check the charity out.
What to do
- Don't give on the spot. Look the charity up at charitynavigator.org or give.org.
- Donate directly through the charity's official website, by card or check.
- Ignore pressure — a real charity is glad to receive your gift later.
What to do if you already responded
- Contact your bank or payment app to try to stop or reverse the payment.
- Watch for more solicitations — your info may be shared with other scammers.
- Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.