A caller claiming to fundraise for a disability charity is asking about my benefits and asking me to donate part of my payment - normal?
No - legitimate charity fundraisers do not need details of your personal benefits claim, and a request to donate directly from your benefit payment is a major red flag.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Explanation
This scam blends a fake charity solicitation with a benefits scam, where a caller claims to represent a disability or welfare-related charity and, during the call, starts asking detailed questions about your specific benefits, payment amounts, and dates, sometimes framed as needed for 'matching donations' or 'means-testing' your eligibility to donate. In reality, none of this information is relevant to a genuine charitable donation, and the real goal is to gather personal and financial details or to talk you into setting up a direct debit or one-off payment from your benefit funds.
Legitimate charities ask for a donation amount and payment method, not details of your government benefits claim, payment dates, or claim reference numbers. Genuine charity fundraising also does not involve pressuring people who are themselves benefit recipients to donate directly from limited support payments, and reputable charities are generally cautious about exactly this kind of solicitation.
If you want to support a charity, look up its official registration and contact details independently rather than trusting an unsolicited caller, and never provide details about your own benefits claim to a fundraiser regardless of the cause presented.
Common red flags
- Fundraiser asks detailed questions about your specific benefits and payment amounts
- Suggests donating directly from your benefit payment or setting up a direct debit during the call
- Cannot provide clear charity registration details when asked
- High-pressure tactics or emotional appeals to donate immediately
- Caller cannot be verified through the charity's official website or registration body
- Requests bank details rather than directing you to the charity's own secure donation page
What to do now
- Do not share any details about your own benefits claim with a fundraiser
- Verify the charity's registration independently before donating anything
- Donate only through the charity's official website or verified payment channels, never over an unsolicited call
- Decline to set up a direct debit or one-off payment during the call itself
- Report the caller to the charity regulator in your country if the approach seems fraudulent
- Hang up if pressured to decide immediately
Frequently asked questions
Why would a real charity ask about my benefits?
It generally wouldn't - genuine fundraising doesn't require details about your personal government benefits claim.
How can I verify a charity is real before donating?
Check its registration with your country's official charity regulator and use the contact and donation details listed on the charity's own verified website.