$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
QR code scams/Flyer
charity donation QR code scam
Fake QR codes are placed on charity donation materials, redirecting well-intentioned donors to fraudulent payment pages that steal their money and financial information.
“QR code scam”
↑ 133%Key indicators
Usually targetsDonors
Often hitsNonprofit and charity workers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers create flyers or signs mimicking legitimate charities and include QR codes for donations.
2
The QR code directs to a payment page controlled by the scammers, often using legitimate-looking payment processors.
3
Donations go directly to the criminals, and payment card details are harvested for further fraud.
What to do first
Donate directly through the charity's official website, not through QR codes on flyers.
Related terms
fake charity QRdonation QR phishingQR code scamsFlyerRisingDonorsChurch-goersCommunity membersNonprofit and charity workersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadafake charity QRdonation QR phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Megan, 35, a donors, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate qr code scams situation while using Flyer. Scammers create flyers or signs mimicking legitimate charities and include QR codes for donations.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The QR code directs to a payment page controlled by the scammers, often using legitimate-looking payment processors.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Donations go directly to the criminals, and payment card details are harvested for further fraud.
The outcome
Megan realized something was wrong when qr code on a charity flyer leads to a personal payment app or unfamiliar website. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Donate directly through the charity's official website, not through QR codes on flyers. Megan's experience shows why qr code on a charity flyer leads to a personal payment app or unfamiliar website and the charity name does not appear on charity navigator, guidestar, or the irs tax-exempt organization database are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- QR code on a charity flyer leads to a personal payment app or unfamiliar website
- The charity name does not appear on Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or the IRS tax-exempt organization database
- Solicitation creates extreme urgency around a recent disaster or crisis
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Donate directly through the charity's official website, not through QR codes on flyers.
- ✓Verify any charity at charitynavigator.org or give.org before donating.
- ✓Report fraudulent charity solicitations to the FTC and your state attorney general.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FTC warned after Hurricane Idalia in 2023 that scammers were using QR codes on fake charity materials to divert disaster relief donations to fraudulent accounts.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Donate directly through the charity's official website, not through QR codes on flyers.
- ✓Verify any charity at charitynavigator.org or give.org before donating.
- ✓Report fraudulent charity solicitations to the FTC and your state attorney general.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FTC warned after Hurricane Idalia in 2023 that scammers were using QR codes on fake charity materials to divert disaster relief donations to fraudulent accounts.
FTC Consumer Alert 2023
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Donors, Church-goers, Community members
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Flyer — QR code scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Donors are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FTC warned after Hurricane Idalia in 2023 that scammers were using QR codes on fake charity materials to divert disaster relief donations to fraudulent accounts.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Alert 2023
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about charity donation qr code scam
How does the charity donation qr code scam work?+
Scammers create flyers or signs mimicking legitimate charities and include QR codes for donations. The QR code directs to a payment page controlled by the scammers, often using legitimate-looking payment processors. Donations go directly to the criminals, and payment card details are harvested for further fraud.
What are the warning signs of charity donation qr code scam?+
QR code on a charity flyer leads to a personal payment app or unfamiliar website The charity name does not appear on Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or the IRS tax-exempt organization database Solicitation creates extreme urgency around a recent disaster or crisis
What should I do if I encounter charity donation qr code scam?+
Donate directly through the charity's official website, not through QR codes on flyers. Verify any charity at charitynavigator.org or give.org before donating. Report fraudulent charity solicitations to the FTC and your state attorney general.
Who is most at risk for charity donation qr code scam?+
This scam primarily targets Donors, Church-goers, Community members. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Flyer.
Is charity donation qr code scam on the rise?+
charity donation QR code scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
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↑ 57%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.
What to do first
Donate only through established charities verified on Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or your local government's charity registry
Targets
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Fraudulent organizations use names similar to legitimate veteran charities to solicit donations, with most or all funds going to the operators rather than veterans.
What to do first
Verify veteran charities on Charity Navigator or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance before donating
Targets
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Seen in
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↑ 57%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.
What to do first
Research the campaign organizer and verify their connection to the stated cause before donating
Targets
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Seen in
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.