$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake Red Cross donation scam
Scammers impersonate the American Red Cross after disasters, soliciting donations through fake websites, phone calls, and social media that divert funds from legitimate relief efforts.
“disaster scam”
↑ 500%Key indicators
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
After a major disaster, scammers quickly set up fake websites, phone banks, and social media accounts impersonating the Red Cross.
2
They make emotional appeals using real disaster footage and news coverage to solicit donations via phone, email, and social media ads.
3
Donations go directly to the scammers while the real Red Cross receives nothing, reducing resources available for actual disaster victims.
What to do first
Donate to the Red Cross only through redcross.org (US), redcross.ca (Canada), or redcross.org.uk (UK).
Related terms
Red Cross impersonationfake disaster relief charityNatural disaster scamsPhoneSurgingDonorsAdultsCommunity membersRetirees and seniorsNonprofit and charity workersImmigrants and visa holdersUnited StatesCanadaUnited KingdomRed Cross impersonationfake disaster relief charity
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Ashley, 35, a donors, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate natural disaster scams situation while using Phone. After a major disaster, scammers quickly set up fake websites, phone banks, and social media accounts impersonating the Red Cross.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They make emotional appeals using real disaster footage and news coverage to solicit donations via phone, email, and social media ads.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Donations go directly to the scammers while the real Red Cross receives nothing, reducing resources available for actual disaster victims.
The outcome
Ashley realized something was wrong when donation website url does not match redcross.org or the official red cross domain for your country. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Donate to the Red Cross only through redcross.org (US), redcross.ca (Canada), or redcross.org.uk (UK). Ashley's experience shows why donation website url does not match redcross.org or the official red cross domain for your country and caller requests donation by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Donation website URL does not match redcross.org or the official Red Cross domain for your country
- Caller requests donation by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- Organization name is similar but not exactly the American Red Cross or British Red Cross
- 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 to the Red Cross only through redcross.org (US), redcross.ca (Canada), or redcross.org.uk (UK).
- ✓Never donate to disaster relief through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- ✓Report charity impersonation to the real Red Cross, 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.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
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 American Red Cross reported over 1,200 fraudulent websites and social media accounts impersonating their organization during the 2024 hurricane season.
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.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Donate to the Red Cross only through redcross.org (US), redcross.ca (Canada), or redcross.org.uk (UK).
- ✓Never donate to disaster relief through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
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 American Red Cross reported over 1,200 fraudulent websites and social media accounts impersonating their organization during the 2024 hurricane season.
American Red Cross Fraud Alert 2024
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, Adults, Community members
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom
Primary channel
Phone — Natural disaster 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 rapid increase in 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 American Red Cross reported over 1,200 fraudulent websites and social media accounts impersonating their organization during the 2024 hurricane season.
Source notes
- American Red Cross Fraud Alert 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake red cross donation scam
How does the fake red cross donation scam work?+
After a major disaster, scammers quickly set up fake websites, phone banks, and social media accounts impersonating the Red Cross. They make emotional appeals using real disaster footage and news coverage to solicit donations via phone, email, and social media ads. Donations go directly to the scammers while the real Red Cross receives nothing, reducing resources available for actual disaster victims.
What are the warning signs of fake red cross donation scam?+
Donation website URL does not match redcross.org or the official Red Cross domain for your country Caller requests donation by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency Organization name is similar but not exactly the American Red Cross or British Red Cross
What should I do if I encounter fake red cross donation scam?+
Donate to the Red Cross only through redcross.org (US), redcross.ca (Canada), or redcross.org.uk (UK). Never donate to disaster relief through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Report charity impersonation to the real Red Cross, the FTC, and your state attorney general.
Who is most at risk for fake red cross donation scam?+
This scam primarily targets Donors, Adults, Community members. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom and typically appears on Phone.
Is fake red cross donation scam getting worse?+
fake Red Cross donation scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA, UK. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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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.