Charity scam
Fake charitable appeals — especially following disasters, conflicts, or high-profile causes — that collect donations for fraudsters rather than genuine beneficiaries.
Also known as: fake charity, disaster relief fraud
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Charity scams exploit generosity and compassion by soliciting donations for non-existent or fraudulent organisations, particularly in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters, conflicts, or humanitarian crises. When these events generate international media coverage, fraudulent donation pages, social media appeals, and door-to-door collectors appear within hours.
Variants include entirely fake charities with professional-looking websites; imposters impersonating legitimate well-known charities; and 'similar name' charities designed to capture donors who mis-search the charity they intended to support.
Before donating, verify a charity through your country's official register (e.g. the Charity Commission in England and Wales, Charity Navigator in the US). Avoid donating directly in response to cold emails, pop-up websites, or door-to-door solicitation without independent verification.