Disaster Relief Scams: How to Verify Charities After Major Events

When generosity meets opportunity: why disaster scams spike

After major disasters or mass-casualty events many people want to help immediately — and scammers count on that. In recent reporting the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) documented thousands of complaints and tens of millions in losses tied to fake charities, crowdfunding fraud and disaster-relief scams. These schemes range from cloned charity websites and social-media appeals to QR-code and cryptocurrency traps.

This guide helps you verify charities quickly, explains the modern scam methods to watch for (including QR codes, text-to-donate pitches, and crypto requests), and lists trusted verification tools and reporting channels you can use right away.

Quick safety rules (bite-sized)

• Donate only to charities you can verify independently — don’t click an ad or random social post.
• Prefer established organizations with public records; avoid pressure to give immediately.
• Avoid cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency unless you can confirm the recipient is legitimate and transparent.

Step-by-step verification checklist

Use this checklist before you click "donate":

1. Get the charity’s exact name and EIN (tax ID). Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm the organization is tax-exempt and that the name matches official records. Scammers often use lookalike names.
2. Check independent charity evaluators. Search Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, GuideStar (Candid), and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance for ratings, financials, and contact details. Legitimate groups will have histories, annual reports, and third-party listings.
3. Examine the donation method. Be wary if asked to pay by gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency — these are common red flags. Confirm text-to-donate numbers on the charity’s verified website before texting.
4. Verify URLs, social accounts, and emails. Look for small misspellings, odd domains (e.g., .com instead of .org), or recent account creation dates. If a social post came from a friend, confirm they actually posted it and weren’t hacked.
5. Watch for QR-code traps and phishing pages. Scammers have placed fake QR codes on flyers, emails, and social posts that take donors to fraudulent payment pages or malware. Preview the destination URL and don’t scan unknown codes.
6. Ask how funds are used and documented. Legitimate relief organizations can explain the percent of donations that go to direct aid versus administration, and can provide annual reports or program updates.
7. If a crowdfunding page is used, investigate the organizer. Confirm the fundraiser is managed by a recognized charity or a verifiable individual; reverse-image-search photos and check comments for signs of authenticity or copy-paste content.

Quick decision rule: if you can’t find independent confirmation within a few minutes, pause and research — don’t give under pressure.

Modern scam methods to watch for (and how to respond)

1. Social-media and messenger appeals

Scammers copy photos and stories from legitimate news or other fundraisers and repost them with new payment links. Before donating, navigate to the charity’s official site or call a published phone number — do not use links in unsolicited messages.

2. QR-code donation scams

Fake QR codes on flyers or emails can send you to phishing pages or wallets that steal funds or credentials. Inspect physical codes for tampering, and when scanning, check the preview URL — close the page if it looks suspicious. Use your bank or a known payment processor’s app rather than entering card details on unknown landing pages.

3. Cryptocurrency ‘donations’ and wallet requests

Crypto donations are irreversible. Scammers may pressure you to send crypto to a wallet address in the name of relief efforts. Unless a reputable organization publishes a verified wallet and explains custody and accounting practices, avoid crypto donations. Industry reporting shows an increase in AI-enabled and crypto scams in recent years.

4. Imposter phone calls and text-to-donate fraud

Scammers may spoof official numbers or claim to be with government relief programs. Confirm phone numbers on official sites and never provide banking or social-security details over the phone. For text-to-donate requests, verify the short code or number on the charity’s verified website first.

Report scams and next steps if you were targeted

If you suspect a scam or think you’ve been defrauded:

• File a complaint with the FBI/IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center) — they specifically track charity and disaster fraud.
• Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint. The FTC collects charity-scam reports and posts guidance for donors.
• Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to dispute charges; for wire transfers or instant crypto transfers, report to your financial institution right away and ask about reversal options.
• Notify your state attorney general’s office — many states have consumer alerts and ways to search registered charities at the state level.
• Document everything — screenshots, emails, URLs, the charity’s claimed EIN, and any transaction IDs — this helps investigators and your bank.

Finally, share trusted alternatives: if you want to help quickly, give to national organizations with disaster-response programs you already trust, or wait for vetted local relief coalitions to set up verified funds. When in doubt, use the verification checklist above.

Need immediate help or more resources? See the IRS, FTC, and IC3 guidance pages for links to tax-exempt searches, reporting forms, and the National Center for Disaster Fraud.