Charity scam checker

Charity Scam Checker: How to Spot and Report It

Charity scams appear after disasters, wars, medical crises, viral stories, or local emergencies. They may copy real nonprofit names, use emotional photos, or create urgent fundraisers.

A real cause can still be abused by fake collectors. Before donating, verify the organization, payment method, fundraiser owner, and whether the link goes to an official donation page.

Analyze this donation request Read FAQ

Quick answer

Charity scams exploit urgency and compassion

A charity scam often uses emotional pressure, disaster timing, copied nonprofit branding, vague fund use, unusual payment methods, or a fundraiser owner you cannot verify.

Free scam check

Paste the fundraiser, DM, or donation link

The sample below shows a disaster donation request with risky payment methods. Replace it with the message or page you received.

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Typical red flags

Charity scams often use real emotions with unverifiable payment paths.

  • The request appears immediately after a disaster and pressures instant donation.
  • Payment is requested by gift card, crypto, wire, payment app, or personal account.
  • The organizer cannot explain how funds will be used or verified.
  • The nonprofit name is similar to a real charity but the domain differs.
  • The message uses stolen images, vague locations, or no registered organization details.
  • They ask for sensitive personal data beyond normal donation information.
  • They avoid receipts, official donation pages, or public accountability.

What to do if you already fell for it

Try to stop the payment and document the fundraiser.

  • Contact your bank, card issuer, payment app, or crypto exchange immediately.
  • Save the donation page, messages, usernames, wallet addresses, receipts, and screenshots.
  • Report the fundraiser to the social platform, crowdfunding site, or payment provider.
  • Report impersonation to the real charity if its name or logo was copied.
  • Watch for follow-up messages claiming you need to pay more to release or match funds.
  • Use official charity websites or trusted charity evaluators for future donations.
  • If you shared identity information, monitor accounts and consider a fraud alert.

Example: disaster donation pressure

Input

Donate in the next 30 minutes. Send money by Cash App, crypto, or gift card to our volunteer account.

What to notice

  • The message uses disaster urgency and a short deadline.
  • It asks for hard-to-reverse payment methods.
  • The payment goes to a volunteer account instead of a verified charity page.

Charity scam FAQ

Are disaster fundraisers always suspicious?

No. Disasters create real need, but they also attract scammers. Verify the organizer, charity, and payment destination before donating.

Is donating by crypto or gift card safe?

It is risky for unknown fundraisers because payments are hard to reverse and may not identify the recipient.

How do I verify a charity?

Search for the official website independently, compare the domain, review public registration or charity evaluator information, and donate through the official page.

Can a real charity name be used in a scam?

Yes. Scammers can copy a real charity's name, logo, or disaster appeal while sending you to a different payment account or lookalike website.

What should I paste into ScamSpot?

Paste the donation request, fundraiser text, payment instructions, charity name, or link. Remove personal donor details first.