Fake charity scammers aim to take advantage of your kindness and defraud you of your hard-earned money. Don't be a victim! We need to expose their tactics and learn how to direct our donations to make a real difference.

Every year, well-intentioned, generous people lose millions of dollars to fraudulent charities. These scammers hide behind familiar-sounding names or play on our emotions using stories of unimaginable suffering. For every legitimate charity there are at least two fake ones that are trying to defraud people of their money.

How fake charity scams work

It all starts with the scammer creating a fake charity with a convincing name and a noble cause, and going to great lengths to make the scam seem credible and trustworthy. This may include:

Impersonating another charity. One of the most common tactics used by these scammers is to exploit the reputation of a legitimate charity and slightly change its name, logo, and website address. With enough effort, they can make these operations look trustworthy. Fake celebrity endorsements. Since celebrities and influencers are often used in marketing, we tend to automatically trust what our favorite celebrities endorse. However, thanks to deepfake technology, scammers can create videos of anyone they want promoting their “charity,” which is why it’s important to double-check these endorsements. Social media manipulation. Scammers have been known to create fake accounts for their charities, or even worse, hack into real accounts, to spread false information and solicit donations. These posts are often vague and don't provide a lot of specific information. Crowdfunding scam. Many online platforms designed to raise funds for those truly in need are often infiltrated by scammers. They fabricate sensational stories, embellish them with tragic images, and exploit the trust factor of the platforms to steal donations. Know the red flags

Unfortunately for all of us, scammers are getting smarter and their tactics more believable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t tell the difference between a legitimate charity and a fraudulent one.

Watch out for these red flags:

Pressure strategy. These fraudulent charities are always trying to get people to donate quickly and without giving it too much thought, so they use various pressure tactics to create a sense of urgency. Real charities will always appreciate your donation. Emotional manipulation. Fake characters always try to tug at your heart strings with fake stories filled with pain, illness, and hardship. They also use images of children or cute animals to elicit sympathy and encourage quick donations. Lack of transparency. Legitimate charities will always provide you with financial reports, board member information and contact details when you request them. On the other hand, scammers deliberately hide this information to make its legitimacy difficult to verify. Fuzzy information. A hallmark of this scam is that these so-called organizations are usually not forthcoming about what they are doing and who they are trying to help. If a charity can’t provide clear answers about its mission, programs, or financial situation, the best thing to do is walk away. How to protect yourself

These fake charities are everywhere, and if you’re someone who regularly donates to noble causes, you need to know how to protect yourself and your donations.

Research, Research, Research

Before donating to any charity, always check that it is legal. You can do this by using resources like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau

Initiate a donation yourself

While genuine charities will sometimes reach out to people, especially if they’ve donated in the past, scammers are often behind unsolicited messages. Rather than responding to requests, find an organization known for its work in the area you want to support and contact them directly.

Say “No” to Unsolicited Requests

No matter how urgent or heartbreaking the call or email may seem, don't give in to the pressure. Take the time to assess the situation and the charity's reputation.

Payment

One of the ways scam charities try to evade responsibility is by asking for payment via untraceable payment methods such as gift cards or cash. That’s why you should opt for payment methods like credit cards or checks made directly to the charity. These will leave a traceable record.

Report suspected fraud

If you find a suspected fake charity, don't leave easily. Please help protect others by reporting it to an official agency like the Federal Trade Commission.

Final Thoughts

It’s infuriating that fake charities exist at all, preying on our natural desire to help those in need. But by maintaining a healthy dose of skepticism and committing to verifying organizations, we can keep ourselves safe.

Rather than letting emotions dictate our giving decisions, we should effectively direct our philanthropic intentions to support the work of organizations that are making a real difference.