Medium riskSocial Media Scams

Fake Charity Donation Scam

Fake charity appeals, often tied to disasters or medical causes, spread through social posts and DMs and push donations via untraceable methods to a cause that does not exist or never receives the money.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Charity fraud
Main red flag
An emotional appeal pushing you to donate fast through gift cards, crypto, or a personal payment app.
What to do first
Do not pay through the link. Donate directly through a known, official charity's own website instead.

What this scam usually looks like

Fake charity appeals, often tied to disasters or medical causes, spread through social posts and DMs and push donations via untraceable methods to a cause that does not exist or never receives the money.

Example message pattern

Example pattern — not a real report
Example pattern: 'URGENT: Families have lost everything in the disaster. 100% of donations go straight to victims. Send what you can today via gift card or crypto here: [suspicious link]. Please don't scroll past.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Red flags to watch for

  • High pressure to give immediately after a disaster or emergency
  • Requests for gift cards, crypto, or a personal payment app transfer
  • A charity name you cannot find or verify through an official register
  • Vague details about where the money actually goes
  • A donation link shared mainly through DMs or copied-and-pasted posts

What to do

  • Donate directly through a known charity's official website
  • Search the charity's name in your national charity register to confirm it is registered
  • Be cautious with appeals that only appear in social posts or DMs
  • Report fake appeals to the platform and your national anti-fraud centre

If you already clicked or replied

  • Do not enter card or banking details on the linked page
  • If you entered card details, contact your bank to flag or freeze the card
  • If you donated by gift card, keep the receipt and report it promptly
  • Watch your statements for further unexpected charges

What not to do

  • Do not donate using gift cards or crypto on request
  • Do not give to an appeal you cannot independently verify
  • Do not forward the appeal before checking it is genuine

Similar scams

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Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a charity appeal is genuine?
Look the charity up in your national charity register and donate through its official website. Genuine charities are happy for you to verify them before giving.
Why do fake appeals ask for gift cards or crypto?
These payments are hard to trace and almost impossible to reverse, which is why scammers prefer them. Established charities offer standard, traceable ways to donate.
Is it safe to donate through a link in a social media post?
It can be risky, because anyone can copy a charity's branding into a post. It is safer to ignore the link and go to the charity's official site yourself.
I think I donated to a fake charity. What should I do?
Contact your bank or card provider straight away, keep any receipts, and report it to the platform and your national anti-fraud centre.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.