Is a charity asking for disaster-relief donations online legitimate?
It may not be. Fake charity appeals surge after major disasters — always verify a charity's registration before donating.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
After earthquakes, floods, or conflict events, scammers quickly launch fake charity websites, crowdfunding campaigns, and social media appeals that mimic real humanitarian organisations. Donations sent to these fakes fund the scammer, not victims. Even well-intentioned crowdfunding campaigns may misuse funds. Legitimate charities are registered with a regulatory body in their country — for example, the Charity Commission in England and Wales, the IRS 501(c)(3) register in the US, or equivalent national authorities. Verifying registration takes only a few seconds and protects your donation. Prefer established, well-known organisations with a long track record in the relevant region.
Common red flags
- Appeal arrives by unsolicited email, text, or social media message
- Charity name is very similar to but not quite the same as a known organisation
- No charity registration number provided
- Payment only by wire, crypto, or gift card rather than secure card portal
- Website was registered very recently — check with a WHOIS tool
What to do now
- Verify the charity's registration on your national charity register
- Donate directly through the official website you navigate to independently
- Avoid donating in response to unsolicited social media posts
- Report fake appeals to your national fraud authority and the platform
Frequently asked questions
Are GoFundMe campaigns safe to donate to?
GoFundMe offers some refund guarantees, but individual campaigns vary greatly in legitimacy. Verify the campaigner's identity and look for coverage by reputable news sources before donating to individuals you don't know personally.