Fake Charity Appeals Can Look Convincing — 5 Things to Verify Before Donating

Fake charity appeals can use convincing websites, emotional stories, and familiar names.

Verify the organization and payment method before donating.

Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock A photograph of a family standing outside a storm-damaged home appears in your social media feed, accompanied by a request for emergency donations.

The story is heartbreaking, the organization has a professional-looking website, and hundreds of people appear to have already contributed.

But how can you tell whether the money will actually reach the people who need it?

Charity impersonation scams take advantage of people’s willingness to help, particularly after natural disasters, during the holidays, and when highly publicized tragedies dominate the news.

In July 2026, the Internal Revenue Service highlighted fake charities as a recurring fraud concern, explaining that criminals may create fraudulent organizations to collect donations and personal information.

Before donating to an unfamiliar cause, there are five details worth checking that can help protect both your money and the people you intended to support.

1.

Verify the Charity’s Actual Identity A professional website and a recognizable-sounding name don’t establish that a charitable organization is legitimate.

Criminals sometimes create fake charities with names resembling established nonprofits, hoping donors won’t notice the difference.

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