Fake Charity Crowdfunding Scams
Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, according to the FTC.
Quick Answer
Fake charity crowdfunding scams exploit public generosity, especially after disasters, stealing approximately $96 million in 2024 through fraudulent online campaigns, according to the FBI.
Think you've seen this scam?
Paste any suspicious text, email, or voicemail into our free checker — get a verdict in 5 seconds. Or get our free Scam Defense Playbook.
Free. No credit card. No signup required for the checker.
How It Works
1
Scammers create fake crowdfunding campaigns on platforms like GoFundMe or set up fraudulent websites. These campaigns often appear after natural disasters, mass casualty events, or in response to viral social media stories, exploiting heightened public emotion.
2
The campaign uses deceptive tactics to appear legitimate. This includes using names that are very similar to well-known charities, stealing photos and stories from real victims, and crafting urgent, emotional appeals to pressure people into donating quickly.
3
Donations are collected through the platform, but the money never reaches the intended victims. The scammer keeps the funds for personal use, often disappearing once the campaign has raised a significant amount of money.
4
To receive funds, scammers may request payment through unconventional methods that are difficult to trace, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, which is a major warning sign for donors.
Red Flags
- High-pressure tactics urging you to donate immediately.
- Vague or evasive descriptions of how donations will be used.
- Charity names that are very similar to, but not exactly the same as, well-known organizations.
- Requests for donations via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
- Spelling and grammar errors in campaign descriptions or communications.
- The campaign organizer has little or no history on the crowdfunding platform.
- Claims that your donation is tax-deductible without being able to verify the organization's tax-exempt status with the IRS.
What to Do If Targeted
- Pause and research the charity or campaign organizer before donating. Use tools like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, and CharityWatch to check the legitimacy of an organization.
- Donate directly to established charities through their official websites rather than through a link in an email, text, or social media post.
- If donating to an individual's crowdfunding campaign, only give to people you personally know and trust.
- Never donate using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Always use a credit card or check for better fraud protection.
- Perform a reverse image search on any photos used in the campaign to see if they have been stolen from other sources.
- If you suspect a scam, report the campaign to the crowdfunding platform immediately.
How to Report It
- FTC — File a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission to help them investigate and stop scammers.
- FBI IC3 — Report online charity fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- State Charity Regulator — Contact your state's charity regulator to verify a charity's registration and report suspicious solicitations.
- FCC — File a complaint about phone scams, robocalls, or unwanted calls with the Federal Communications Commission.
- AARP Fraud Helpline — Call 877-908-3360 for free support from trained fraud specialists. Available to anyone, not just AARP members.
Key Statistics
- In 2024, the FBI IC3 received more than 4,500 complaints related to fraudulent charities, crowdfunding, and disaster relief, with losses totaling approximately $96 million. — FBI IC3 2025
- Reports of charity scams to Fraud.org increased by nearly 200% in 2023, the largest year-over-year growth of any scam category. — Fraud.org 2024
- Scammers often create copycat charity names that are slightly different from legitimate organizations to trick donors, especially after major disasters. — FBI 2024
- The FTC advises consumers to pay by credit card or check, as requests for donations via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency are a sign of a scam. — FTC 2023
Get scam alerts before they hit your parents' inbox
One email per week. The scam that's spreading right now, the red flags, and what to tell Mom and Dad.
Free forever. Unsubscribe in one click.
Frequently Asked Questions
In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 4,500 complaints about fraudulent charities, crowdfunding, and disaster relief campaigns, with reported losses of approximately $96 million. Scammers frequently exploit natural disasters and other tragic events to solicit donations.
While many campaigns are legitimate, platforms like GoFundMe are also exploited by scammers. It is safest to donate only to campaigns organized by people you personally know and trust. Always research the organizer and be wary of urgent, emotional appeals from strangers.
A major red flag is the method of payment requested. Legitimate charities will accept checks and credit cards. If you are pressured to donate using a gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, it is almost certainly a scam.
You can research charities using watchdog sites like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, and CharityWatch. You can also verify a charity's tax-exempt status using the IRS's Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. Most states also require charities to register before soliciting donations.
Has this scam reached your family?
Ready to protect yourself?
We've vetted the tools that actually work — VPN, threat protection, and identity monitoring.
See our recommended tools →Get weekly scam alerts
One breakdown per week. Real threats. Zero fluff.
You're in! Check your inbox.