What You Need to Know About Charity Scams
When disaster strikes, be careful where you give.
In the information age, we are besieged by need. It seems almost daily we see news or social media posts depicting the horrors of floods, fires, or other human tragedies. We think, “I’ve got to do something, but how can I help?”
As the news circulates, we might get a text message or an email soliciting funds. Maybe it’s a post on social media or even a crowdfunding platform. And, yes, scammers still cold-call and send letters in the mail. Our desire to respond to human suffering is noble, but can also make us vulnerable.
What are the themes that charity scammers exploit? As you might imagine, it’s the things that tug at our heartstrings and solicit our compassion: animal welfare, international aid, disaster relief efforts, and hunger. Appeals related to veterans and first responders also draw in donors.
How are these scams so successful? According to the FBI, "...natural disasters often create ideal situations for opportunistic criminals to prey on those experiencing profound loss or those offering assistance to others.”1 In other words, these scammers take advantage of one's sense of urgency and compassion.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) was created to defend Americans against cybercriminals. A recent IC3 bulletin revealed that Americans lose tens of millions of dollars a year due to fraudulent charities and disaster relief scams. Such fraud often arises in response to accidents and natural disasters, such as the deadly flooding in Texas this past summer or Hurricane Helene that struck the southeast in late 2024. What’s more, reported numbers may only represent a fraction of what’s happening. Due to shame or embarrassment on the part of those who were conned, the true cost of charity fraud is likely never recorded.1
Having your well-intended charitable donations mishandled thwarts your original intention as a donor. Worse, it steals from those who are suffering only to line the pockets of criminals. But there is another issue to contend with: by giving these scammers your personal information, you may also be setting yourself up for identity theft.
So what can you do to protect yourself, as well as those you are trying to help?
What To Do if You’ve Been Scammed
Reporting it and spreading the word.
If you suspect you are a victim of charity fraud, know that you’re not alone, and there are resources available. Your first instinct might be to hide your mistake out of shame or embarrassment, but that only gives cybercriminals more power. Reporting your experience widely is the best and most effective way to stop such scams from stealing more money from those who truly need it most.
Here are the steps you should take if you experience charity fraud.
- First, talk to your bank. Fraud is common, and they are likely to have resources set up for you, particularly if you have also experienced identity theft.
- Report any scams related to disaster or charity funds to the FBI’s IC3 website.
- Also, report the scam to the National Center for Disaster Fraud, part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Other reporting resources include the Federal Trade Commission's website, local law enforcement, your state’s Attorney General, and the Better Business Bureau.
- Notify credit bureaus if your personal information has been targeted. If necessary, they can place a fraud alert on your credit reports.
- Last but not least, don’t be silenced by shame. Spread the word to your family and friends. The more awareness raised, the quicker scammers can be caught and donations can reach those who desperately need them.
Keep these tips on hand and pass them along to friends. With careful action, your donation to a trustworthy organization can be the worthwhile experience you intended.
- FBI.gov, July 9, 2025.