Disaster Relief Scams in the United States
How fraudulent organisations exploit US natural disasters and emergencies to divert charitable donations and impersonate FEMA assistance programmes.
Part of: Disaster Relief Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
The United States experiences frequent large-scale natural disasters — hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods — each of which triggers an immediate wave of fraudulent donation appeals and impersonation of federal assistance programmes. The FTC, FBI, and FEMA all issue disaster fraud warnings after major events.
Scammers exploit both the generosity of donors and the vulnerability of affected individuals seeking aid, creating a dual threat that operates simultaneously in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.
How this scam works on United States
Fake charity websites and social media campaigns appear within hours of a major disaster, using the event's name, official-looking branding, and emotional imagery. Donation pages accept credit cards, PayPal, Venmo, and cryptocurrency — all without any funds reaching affected communities.
FEMA impersonation scams target disaster survivors directly, with callers claiming to be FEMA agents who can expedite assistance payments in exchange for registration fees or bank details. FEMA never charges fees for assistance applications.
Home contractor scams follow disasters, with unlicensed operators demanding large cash or wire deposits for repairs that are never completed or are structurally inadequate.
Common red flags
- Charity soliciting donations for a specific disaster through social media within hours of the event
- Donation page with a domain registered in the days following the disaster
- Caller claiming to be a FEMA agent requiring a fee to process your assistance application
- Contractor demanding a large cash or wire deposit before beginning disaster repairs
- Charity that cannot provide a verifiable EIN (Employer Identification Number)
How to protect yourself
- Donate only through verified charities listed on GuideStar, Charity Navigator, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance
- FEMA assistance is free — any fee demand from a claimed FEMA agent is fraudulent
- Report suspicious charities to your state attorney general's consumer protection office
- Verify contractor licences through your state contractor licensing board before paying
- Call the NCDF (National Center for Disaster Fraud) hotline at 866-720-5721
How to report it
- Report to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721 or at justice.gov/disaster-fraud
- Report fake charities to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Report FEMA impersonation to FEMA's fraud hotline at 1-800-621-FEMA
Frequently asked questions
Does FEMA ever charge fees for disaster assistance?
No. Applying for FEMA disaster assistance is always free. Any person claiming to be a FEMA representative and requesting a fee, your Social Security number to 'expedite' processing, or your banking details to 'direct deposit' an assistance payment is a scammer. Apply only through the official FEMA.gov website or DisasterAssistance.gov.