What can I do if I donated to a fake charity or was misled about how donations are used?
Fake charity fraud and misrepresentation of how donations are used are criminal and regulatory offences — report to your national charity regulator, fraud authority, and consider payment recovery options for recent donations.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Charity fraud comes in two main forms: entirely fake charities that pocket all donations, and legitimate charities that seriously misrepresent how funds are used. Both are legally actionable, though through different routes.
Fake charities are straightforwardly fraudulent. In the UK, the Charity Commission investigates concerns about charities and can remove them from the register, require repayment of funds, and refer matters to the Serious Fraud Office or Action Fraud for criminal investigation. The same reporting pathway applies as for any fraud.
For legitimate but misleading charities (using exaggerated claims about fund use, or diverting unreasonably large proportions to administration), complaints to the Charity Commission are the main route. The Fundraising Regulator also handles complaints about fundraising practices.
For financial recovery of recent donations, card chargeback may be possible if the donation was made online by card — the misrepresentation argument supports a chargeback. For older donations or cash, recovery is more difficult.
This is general information. What constitutes fraudulent misrepresentation versus permissible marketing by a charity depends on the specific facts.
Common red flags
- The charity cannot be found on the Charity Commission register or has a very similar name to a well-known charity
- Collectors pressured you heavily or did not provide clear identification
- The charity's accounts are not publicly available as required
- Donation requests came after a disaster and the organisation was not a known charity
- You cannot find a working address or legitimate contact information
What to do now
- Report to the Charity Commission (England and Wales) or your national charity regulator
- Report to Action Fraud for criminal investigation if the charity was entirely fake
- Contact your card issuer to initiate a chargeback for recent card donations
- Report to the Fundraising Regulator if fundraising practices were misleading
- Check the Charity Commission register before donating to confirm registration
Frequently asked questions
Does the Charity Commission compensate donors?
No. The Charity Commission is a regulator, not a compensation body. It investigates misconduct and can take action against trustees, but it does not refund individual donors. Recovery of donations is typically through payment method chargebacks or, in criminal cases, through prosecution and asset recovery.
Is it legal for a charity to spend a large proportion of donations on administration?
There is no fixed legal percentage — charities must act in the best interests of their beneficiaries and use funds appropriately. High administrative costs are not automatically illegal but may be cause for regulatory scrutiny. The Fundraising Regulator and Charity Commission assess proportionality as part of their oversight functions.