Scam category
Charity scams
Charity scams surge after natural disasters, mass tragedies, and during the holiday giving season. Scammers create fake charities with names that closely resemble real organizations, set up fraudulent GoFundMe campaigns, or impersonate established nonprofits in phone calls and emails. Your donation goes directly to the scammer instead of the cause.
Category activity
“charity scam”
↑ 142%Watch for
- The charity name is very similar to a well-known organization but has slight spelling differences or extra words.
- The solicitor pressures you to donate immediately, especially via cash, gift cards, or wire transfer.
- You cannot find the charity on verification sites like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or your state's charity registry.
Common searches
OpenScam News Feed
disaster relief charity scam
Scammers exploit natural disasters and emergencies by setting up fake charities or impersonating real ones to collect donations that never reach victims.
Donate only through established charities verified on Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or your local government's charity registry
Donors
Global
veteran and military charity scam
Fraudulent organizations use names similar to legitimate veteran charities to solicit donations, with most or all funds going to the operators rather than veterans.
Verify veteran charities on Charity Navigator or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance before donating
Donors
U.S.
GoFundMe and crowdfunding fraud
Scammers create fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns with fabricated stories of personal hardship, medical emergencies, or causes to collect donations under false pretenses.
Research the campaign organizer and verify their connection to the stated cause before donating
Donors
Global
religious charity donation scam
Scammers exploit religious trust by posing as faith-based charities or church representatives to solicit donations that are never used for their stated religious or charitable purpose.
Verify religious charities through your denomination's official directories and on Charity Navigator
Religious communities
U.S.
fake medical fundraiser scam
Scammers create fraudulent fundraising campaigns for fabricated or exaggerated medical emergencies, exploiting compassion to collect donations they pocket.
Ask for verification such as a hospital social worker's contact information or a CaringBridge page
Donors
Global
fake animal rescue charity scam
Scammers set up fake animal rescue organizations or social media accounts to collect donations using photos of abused or injured animals they are not actually helping.
Verify animal rescues through your state's charity registry and the BBB
Pet lovers
U.S.
fake child sponsorship charity scam
Scammers impersonate or create fake child sponsorship programs, collecting monthly donations that never reach any children in need.
Only sponsor children through well-established organizations verified on Charity Navigator or GuideStar
Donors
U.S.
holiday season giving scam
Scammers exploit the generosity of the holiday season with fake charitable appeals, pop-up organizations, and impersonation of well-known charities to steal donations.
Take time to research any charity before donating, even during the holidays
Donors
U.S.
fake political donation scam
Scammers create fake political action committees or impersonate real campaigns to collect donations that go to personal enrichment instead of political causes.
Verify political organizations through the FEC's database at fec.gov before donating
Donors
U.S.
crowdfunding community project fraud
Scammers create crowdfunding campaigns for fake community projects such as parks, memorials, or neighborhood improvements, collect donations, and disappear.
Verify that community project campaigns are endorsed by local government or established nonprofits
Donors
U.S.
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