In-Memory Charity Donation Scam on Facebook
Scammers create fake 'in memory of' charity fundraiser posts on Facebook, using a real death notice as the emotional hook while routing donations to accounts unconnected to any actual charity.
Part of: 'In Memory Of' Charity Donation Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Most 'in lieu of flowers' appeals on Facebook are sincere, posted by grieving families directing gifts to a cause the deceased cared about. Scammers copy that exact wording, often alongside a real death notice and the deceased's photo, and attach a fundraiser or payment link they control instead of the charity's own page. Surrounded by genuine condolence comments and sometimes shared by people who actually knew the deceased, the post inherits borrowed trust with every share. The distinction that matters most is the link's destination: real appeals point to the charity's own website, never a personal payment account.
How this scam works on Facebook
After a death notice states 'in lieu of flowers, please donate to [charity]' the family often intends for people to donate directly on the charity's own website. Scammers instead create a Facebook fundraiser or post using the same wording and the deceased's photo, but link to a personal payment account or a fundraiser page they control rather than the actual charity. Because the post appears alongside genuine condolence comments and sometimes even gets shared by people who knew the deceased but did not check the donation link closely, it can circulate widely before anyone notices the money is not going where it claims. In some cases scammers also create a full lookalike charity name similar to a well-known organization, banking on people not reading closely enough to catch the difference.
Common red flags
- The donation link does not go to the named charity's own official website or verified donation page
- A Facebook fundraiser was created by someone with no clear connection to the family or the named charity
- The charity name is slightly different from the real organization (extra words, different spelling, similar acronym)
- No response from the charity when contacted directly to confirm the fundraiser is theirs
- The fundraiser goal or description contains vague language rather than the charity's own standard donation page format
- Pressure in the comments to donate quickly 'before the family sees how much support there is'
How to protect yourself
- Go directly to the named charity's official website and search their name rather than clicking a link in the Facebook post
- Contact the family directly to confirm which charity and which donation link they actually intended
- Check the charity's registration status through a national charity regulator or database
- Avoid donating through third-party Facebook fundraisers when the charity itself accepts direct donations
- Report any fundraiser using a real charity's name without their authorization to both Facebook and the charity
- Warn others in the comment thread if you identify the fundraiser as unauthorized or fraudulent
How to report it
- Report the fundraiser post to Facebook via 'Report' > 'Scam or Fraud'
- Contact the named charity directly to confirm and alert them to the unauthorized use of their name
- File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov if you donated to a fraudulent campaign
- Report to your state's charity regulator or the equivalent national charity commission
Frequently asked questions
What if the comments under the fundraiser post look supportive and no one has flagged it?
A lack of visible complaints doesn't confirm legitimacy - many people donate quickly without checking the link, and comments can be deleted by the scammer. Verify independently with the charity or family rather than relying on comment activity.
Can I get my donation back if I gave to a fake 'in memory of' fundraiser?
It may depend on the payment method and timing - contact your card issuer or payment app about a dispute, and separately report the fundraiser to the platform and the real charity so they can act on the impersonation.
Does it matter if the fundraiser uses the deceased's real photo and name?
No. Scammers frequently copy real photos and details directly from a public obituary or news article to make a fake fundraiser look authentic, so accurate personal details are not evidence the donation link itself is legitimate.
How can I confirm an 'in memory of' donation link is legitimate?
Go directly to the named charity's official website by typing the address yourself or searching for it, rather than clicking the link in the Facebook post, and check the charity's own site for any matching memorial fundraiser reference.
What if the family really did set up a Facebook fundraiser for the charity?
Ask the family directly, or a close mutual friend, to confirm the fundraiser link before donating, since even genuine family-created fundraisers can be copied or spoofed by scammers within hours of being posted.