Charity and disaster-donation scams: generosity under time pressure

Real disasters create real opportunities for impersonation

Scammers move quickly after earthquakes, floods, wars, fires and other high-profile events because people are motivated to help before they have time to research organizations.

A fraudulent fundraiser may invent a charity, use a name similar to a real organization or hijack a real person's story on social media.

Verify the recipient, not just the cause

A genuine crisis does not prove that a particular donation page is genuine. Find the charity's official site independently and check registration or charity-evaluation resources that apply in the relevant country.

For crowdfunding, confirm who controls the fundraiser and how the platform handles beneficiary identity and withdrawals.

Warning signs

• pressure to donate immediately while emotions are high;
• vague claims about how the money will be used;
• a charity name that is very similar to a better-known organization;
• requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or cash only;
• a social post whose original source cannot be established;
• claims that you already pledged money when you did not.

If you want to help, slowing down does not make the donation less generous. It makes it more likely to reach the intended recipient.