$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
missing person donation scam
Scammers exploit natural disasters by creating fake fundraisers for supposedly missing persons, using stolen photos and fabricated stories to collect donations from concerned members of the public.
“disaster scam”
↑ 500%Key indicators
Usually targetsSocial media users
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
During or after a disaster, scammers create social media posts about fictitious missing persons, using stolen photos and emotional stories to drive engagement and shares.
2
Attached to the missing person plea is a fundraiser link for the family's expenses, medical bills, or search costs.
3
The posts go viral due to the emotional nature of the disaster, and the scammer collects thousands in donations before the fraud is discovered.
What to do first
Share missing person reports only from verified sources such as local police departments, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or official emergency management agencies.
Related terms
fake missing person fundraiserdisaster victim impersonation scamNatural disaster scamsSocial mediaSurgingSocial media usersDonorsCommunity membersNonprofit and charity workersUnited StatesCanadaAustraliafake missing person fundraiserdisaster victim impersonation scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Emily, 35, a social media users, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate natural disaster scams situation while using Social media. During or after a disaster, scammers create social media posts about fictitious missing persons, using stolen photos and emotional stories to drive engagement and shares.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Attached to the missing person plea is a fundraiser link for the family's expenses, medical bills, or search costs.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The posts go viral due to the emotional nature of the disaster, and the scammer collects thousands in donations before the fraud is discovered.
The outcome
Emily realized something was wrong when missing person post shares a fundraiser link rather than directing people to official search and rescue agencies. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Share missing person reports only from verified sources such as local police departments, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or official emergency management agencies. Emily's experience shows why missing person post shares a fundraiser link rather than directing people to official search and rescue agencies and photos of the missing person are stock images or are found elsewhere online through reverse image search are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Missing person post shares a fundraiser link rather than directing people to official search and rescue agencies
- Photos of the missing person are stock images or are found elsewhere online through reverse image search
- The campaign organizer has no verifiable connection to the missing person or the disaster area
- 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
- ✓Share missing person reports only from verified sources such as local police departments, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or official emergency management agencies.
- ✓Donate to disaster relief through established organizations rather than individual social media fundraisers.
- ✓Report suspicious missing person fundraisers to the social media platform and local law enforcement.
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 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children warned that fake missing person posts surge 300% on social media during major disaster events, with many linked to fraudulent fundraising campaigns.
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.
- ✓Share missing person reports only from verified sources such as local police departments, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or official emergency management agencies.
- ✓Donate to disaster relief through established organizations rather than individual social media fundraisers.
- ✓Report suspicious missing person fundraisers to the social media platform and local law enforcement.
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 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children warned that fake missing person posts surge 300% on social media during major disaster events, with many linked to fraudulent fundraising campaigns.
NCMEC 2024 Annual Report
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
Social media users, Donors, Community members
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Social media — Natural disaster scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Social media users 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 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children warned that fake missing person posts surge 300% on social media during major disaster events, with many linked to fraudulent fundraising campaigns.
Source notes
- NCMEC 2024 Annual Report
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about missing person donation scam
How does the missing person donation scam work?+
During or after a disaster, scammers create social media posts about fictitious missing persons, using stolen photos and emotional stories to drive engagement and shares. Attached to the missing person plea is a fundraiser link for the family's expenses, medical bills, or search costs. The posts go viral due to the emotional nature of the disaster, and the scammer collects thousands in donations before the fraud is discovered.
What are the warning signs of missing person donation scam?+
Missing person post shares a fundraiser link rather than directing people to official search and rescue agencies Photos of the missing person are stock images or are found elsewhere online through reverse image search The campaign organizer has no verifiable connection to the missing person or the disaster area
What should I do if I encounter missing person donation scam?+
Share missing person reports only from verified sources such as local police departments, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, or official emergency management agencies. Donate to disaster relief through established organizations rather than individual social media fundraisers. Report suspicious missing person fundraisers to the social media platform and local law enforcement.
Who is most at risk for missing person donation scam?+
This scam primarily targets Social media users, Donors, Community members. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Social media.
Is missing person donation scam getting worse?+
missing person donation scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA, AU. 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.