Fake Charity / Disaster Donation Appeal Text Scam Examples
This text message impersonates a charity or emergency relief fund following a major disaster, appearing quickly to capture the wave of public generosity in the aftermath, and directs recipients to a link to donate. The link leads to a convincing but fake donation page that captures card details without the money ever reaching genuine relief efforts. The emotional urgency of the disaster and the desire to help discourage people from pausing to verify the charity first. The most important step is to donate only through a charity's official website, typed directly into your browser, not a link from a text.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
URGENT: [Disaster] emergency relief appeal. Donate now to help survivors: [fake link]. Every [amount] provides food for a family for a week.
Text GIVE to [shortcode] to donate [amount] to [Fake Charity Name] [Disaster] victims. 100% of funds go direct to relief.
[Charity Name]: Following [disaster event], we need your help now. Click to donate securely: [fake link]. Thank you for your generosity.
You donated to us before — we need your help again for [new disaster]. Quick donate: [fake link]. Unsubscribe reply STOP.
What the scammer wants
To collect donations that go directly to the scammer rather than genuine relief, exploiting public generosity at emotionally charged moments.
Red flags in the message
- Message arrives immediately after a breaking news disaster
- Donation link does not match a known charity's official domain
- Shortcode or number not verifiable on a charity regulator's website
- Request for payment via gift card, crypto, or wire transfer
- Vague about exactly how funds will be used
A safe response
Donate only via a charity's official website, reached by typing the address yourself. Check the charity is registered with your national charity regulator before giving.
What not to send
- Payment via gift card or wire transfer
- Card details on an unverified site
- Donations prompted by unsolicited texts
What to do if you already replied
- Contact your bank if you have shared card details
- Report the fake appeal to your charity regulator and national fraud line
- Donate again directly through a verified charity's official website if you wish
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times
Frequently asked questions
The charity name sounds like a real, well-known organization — is that enough to trust it?
No — scammers deliberately use names that sound like or closely mimic real, well-known charities to borrow their credibility, so a familiar-sounding name isn't proof of legitimacy. Search for the charity's official website independently and check it against a recognized charity registry before donating.
I already donated through the link in the text — what should I do?
Contact your card issuer to report the transaction and ask about disputing it as fraudulent, since your chances of a resolution improve the sooner you act. Also report the fake charity text to your national fraud reporting service so others can be warned.
How can I verify a charity is genuine before donating after a disaster?
Look up the charity independently through a national charity regulator or registry, and navigate to its website by typing the address directly rather than clicking any link from a text or email. Established charities also don't typically solicit donations via unsolicited text message.
Is it safe to just delete the text without responding?
Yes — you don't need to reply or click anything; deleting the message and, if possible, reporting it as spam through your phone's messaging app is the safest response.