When Disaster Strikes, So Do the Fake Charities

You see the images on the evening news: leveled homes in Florida, flooded streets in North Carolina, families sifting through rubble. Your heart goes out to them. You reach for your phone or wallet, ready to help. That is exactly what the scammers are counting on. Within hours of any major natural disaster, a wave of fake charities and fraudulent fundraising appeals floods phone lines, social media feeds, and doorsteps. And the people hurt worst are not just the victims of the hurricane—they are also honest Americans who thought they were doing good.

Charity fraud after a disaster is not a new trick, but it has become more sophisticated. The scammers are not only setting up phony websites that look like the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. They are also calling landlines and cell phones, sending texts with emotional pleas, and even knocking on doors in neighborhoods where they know older adults live. Their goal is simple: get your money before you have time to think. And they are very good at it.

Consider what happens after a hurricane like Ian or Idalia. Within forty-eight hours, the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance receives hundreds of complaints about newly formed charities with names that sound almost real—“Florida Hurricane Relief Fund” or “Gulf Coast Emergency Aid.“ The names are purposefully generic. They do not have any track record, no audited financials, no board of directors. But they have a slick website, a toll-free number, and a heart-tugging story. They might even send you a follow-up email with a supposed list of supplies they have already delivered. In reality, that email comes from a rented server in another country.

The scam takes many forms. One common version is the “Thank You for Your Previous Donation” call. A caller thanks you for a donation you never made, then asks you to confirm your credit card details to “update your records.“ Another is the urgent text message claiming that a relief convoy is stuck and needs gas money immediately, or that orphans are waiting for food. They use high-pressure language: “Every minute counts,“ “Your gift doubles if you donate now,“ “We need your help or families will die.“ That emotional manipulation is designed to bypass your rational brain.

Middle-class Americans aged 45 to 64 are prime targets. You have disposable income, you are accustomed to giving, and you are often more trusting of phone calls and mailers than younger generations. You may also feel a sense of civic duty or religious obligation to help others in crisis. Scammers know this. They have databases of phone numbers and addresses linked to previous charitable giving. They buy these lists from data brokers. They call you by name, reference your past donations to legitimate causes, and then pitch a disaster relief appeal that feels familiar.

The consequences go beyond losing money. When you give to a fake charity, you are also diverting resources away from real relief efforts. Every dollar that goes to a scammer is a dollar that does not reach a family whose home was destroyed. And when you later discover the fraud, you may become cynical and stop donating altogether, hurting the legitimate organizations that depend on public generosity.

How do you protect yourself? The first rule is to never donate on the spot. If someone calls or knocks on your door asking for money after a disaster, say “I need to check you out first.“ Hang up. Close the door. Then do a quick search. Legitimate charities are registered with the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) organizations. You can verify their status on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org or Charity Navigator. If a charity does not appear, or if the name is slightly different from the one in your search results (e.g., “American Red Cross” vs. “American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund”), it is likely a fake.

Do not donate by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. These are scammers’ favorite payment methods because they are nearly impossible to trace and recover. Use a credit card or a check made out to the full charity name, never to an individual. Be wary of unsolicited links in texts or social media. Even if a friend shares a fundraising page, verify the charity independently before clicking. Scammers have been known to hack legitimate social media accounts and post fake donation links.

Also avoid cash donations dropped into collection jars outside grocery stores or at community events. While many of those collections are legitimate, some are run by people who pocket the money. If you want to help, donate directly to established organizations like the local chapter of the United Way, the Salvation Army, or a well-known food bank in the affected area. Better yet, donate to a specific disaster relief fund that you have researched beforehand, before the next crisis hits. That way, you are not making a decision under pressure.

Finally, talk to your family and friends, especially those who might be more vulnerable. Share what you have learned. Scammers rely on people staying quiet about their tricks. When you spread the word, you take away their biggest advantage: surprise.

Disasters bring out the best in people. They also bring out the worst. Do not let a con artist turn your generosity into their profit. Stop. Verify. Give smart. It is the only way to ensure your help actually reaches the people who need it.