Fake Children's / Medical Charity
Scammers exploit sympathy for sick children with fake charities or invented cases, collecting donations that never fund any care.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
Fake charities and impostors use images and stories of sick children — sometimes copying real cases or well-known hospitals — to solicit urgent donations. Names mimic legitimate organizations, and appeals push you to give immediately by card or gift card. The money enriches the scammer. As with other charity scams, urgency, sound-alike names, and untraceable payment requests are the warning signs.
What it usually looks like
- Urgent appeals featuring sick children.
- Names resembling real children's charities/hospitals.
- Pressure to donate now.
- Requests for gift-card or card donations.
Common warning signs
- Emotional urgency and pressure.
- Sound-alike charity names.
- Gift-card donation requests.
- Vague or evasive details about the cause.
Example wording scammers use
“Little Mia needs surgery this week — please donate now to save her life.”
“Help sick kids at the children's hospital; a gift card donation works fastest.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Sympathy-driven, untraceable donations.
- Your card details.
- To impersonate trusted causes.
This is general safety information, not professional advice. It is not legal, financial, medical, or immigration advice, and it does not create a professional relationship. For your own situation, speak with a qualified professional or the official organisation involved. If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency number.
What to do
- Verify the charity independently before donating.
- Give through the official organization's website.
- Never donate by gift card.
- Resist emotional pressure to give instantly.
What to do if you already responded
- Dispute a card donation if it was fraudulent.
- Report to your state charity regulator.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.