Charity fraud calls
Fundraising calls for fake charities, or for real-sounding causes where almost nothing reaches the beneficiaries. These spike after disasters and around holidays.
Disaster-chasing is the pattern's signature: within hours of a hurricane or wildfire, fundraising operations spin up with names one word away from real charities. Before giving by phone, check the organization in the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search and your state charity regulator's registry, and prefer donating directly on the charity's own site. Legitimate fundraisers must tell you the charity's name and how funds are used; pressure to donate immediately by gift card answers the question by itself.
How to recognize it
- High-pressure appeals tied to a recent disaster
- Vague answers about how donations are used
- Requests for payment by gift card, wire, or crypto
What to do
- Research the charity before giving (IRS tax-exempt search, state charity regulator)
- Donate by card or check directly on the charity's site, never by gift card
- Report charity fraud to the FTC
Where to report
Sources
FAQ
What should I do first if I suspect a charity fraud calls call?
Hang up without pressing anything or confirming any details. Research the charity before giving (IRS tax-exempt search, state charity regulator). Then report it through the channels listed below.
I already gave the caller money or information — now what?
Act on the money first: contact your bank or card issuer immediately, and if you paid by gift card, call the card company to try freezing the balance. Then file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, if identity data leaked, follow the recovery plan at IdentityTheft.gov.
Does the number that called me identify the scammer?
Usually not — the display is routinely spoofed. Report the number anyway: combined with time and content, it still helps investigators map calling campaigns.