How to Avoid Charity Scams: Protect Yourself from Fake Disaster Relief Donations

Don’t be a victim of a scam

Each year, Americans lose tens of millions of dollars to fraudulent charities and disaster relief scams, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). These scams don’t just steal money from generous people — they exploit moments of crisis, diverting funds away from those who truly need help, and often expose victims to identity theft in the process.

Scammers frequently take advantage of natural disasters, humanitarian crises, or high-profile tragedies by creating fake charities or impersonating legitimate ones. Their goal is simple: pressure people to give quickly, before they have time to verify where their money is going.

 FBI Anti-Scam Tips for Donating Safely

The FBI recommends the following steps to protect yourself and your loved ones:

• Only donate to established charities you trust. If the organization is unfamiliar, research it before giving.
• Watch for copycat namesthat sound similar to well-known charities.
• Be cautious of newly created charitiestied to major disasters or headlines.
• Use the Federal Trade Commissionto review a charity’s track record at consumer.ftc.gov.
• Donate via check or credit card. Avoid cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
• Practice good cyber hygiene:
• Never click links or open attachments from unfamiliar senders.
• Don’t respond to unsolicited texts, calls, or emails asking for donations.
• Look for “.org”at the end of a charity’s website URL (though this alone is not proof).

What To Do If You Experience Charity Fraud

If you believe you’ve been targeted or victimized:

• Contact your bank immediately.Financial institutions are experienced with fraud and may help stop further losses.
• Report the scam to the FBI’s IC3at ic3.gov.
• Report disaster-related scams to the National Center for Disaster Fraud(U.S. Department of Justice).

File reports with:

• The Federal Trade Commission
• Local law enforcement
• Your state’s Attorney General
• The Better Business Bureau
• Notify credit bureaus if personal information was shared. They can place fraud alerts on your credit reports.

Most importantly: don’t be silenced by shame.

Sharing your experience helps protect others and brings scammers to justice.

With awareness and careful action, your donation can be the meaningful, positive experience you intended — helping real people instead of funding criminal activity.

Charity scams continue to evolve, especially after natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and major news events. Silver Streak Senior Services regularly publishes fraud alerts, prevention tips, and trusted educational resources to help older adults and their families recognize scams before they become victims. Staying informed is one of the most effective ways to protect both your finances and your peace of mind.

Continue Educating yourself here:

How to Prevent Senior Fraud with the PROVE IT METHOD 

Fraud Prevention for Seniors a Complete Guide