When you give, you want your money to reach real people and real programs—not a scammer’s pocket. Sadly, fake charities pop up after every major disaster, during the holidays, and even around local community fundraisers. The good news? With a few smart checks, you can donate confidently and make sure your generosity actually helps.
This guide walks you through clear, practical steps to verify any charity, spot red flags, and protect yourself (and your loved ones) before you donate. It’s written for everyday givers in the U.S., in plain language, with tips you can use right away.
Why this matters
Most charities are legitimate and do meaningful work. But a small number of bad actors create fake names, copy logos, and pressure you to give “right now.” Beyond the money you lose, charity scams can leave you feeling burned and less likely to give again—which hurts real causes. Let’s fix that with simple, repeatable checks.
What counts as a fake charity?
A fake charity is any organization (or person) that pretends to be a nonprofit to take your money. The deception can be obvious or sneaky:
- Look-alike names: “American Red Helper” instead of “American Red Cross,” or “Wounded Warriors Support” instead of a known veteran nonprofit.
- Copy-paste logos and websites: They steal branding so everything looks “official.”
- Emotional hooks: “Emergency! Children need oxygen tanks tonight. Donate now!”
- Sketchy channels: Gift cards, wire transfers, cash, crypto only, or personal payment apps.
- No real paperwork: No Employer Identification Number (EIN), no 501(c)(3) status, no Form 990, no board, no address you can verify.
Scammers love timely moments—hurricanes, wildfires, mass tragedies, and holiday seasons. When emotions run high, they push urgency to rush you past common-sense checks.
The real impact of charity scams
- Your money is diverted from real programs that need it.
- You may feel guilt or shame, which can make you hesitant to donate again.
- Communities lose trust, and legitimate nonprofits have to work harder to prove themselves.
You can break that cycle. The steps below help you confirm you’re giving to a legitimate, effective organization.
Red flags you should never ignore
Keep this short list handy. If you spot one or more of these, slow down and verify:
- High-pressure tactics: “Donate in the next 10 minutes or the match disappears.”
- Unusual payment methods: Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, cash, or crypto only. Legit charities accept checks or credit cards and issue receipts.
- Vague mission or results: They can’t clearly explain what they do or how donations are used.
- No tax info: They dodge questions about their EIN or 501(c)(3) status.
- Look-alike names: Sounds very close to a well-known charity.
- No receipt or only a screenshot: Real charities email or mail a proper donation receipt.
- Suspicious website details: No HTTPS, broken pages, typos everywhere, or only a social account with a payment link.
- Caller won’t answer simple questions: They hang up or change the subject when you ask for details.
If something feels off, it usually is. Trust your instincts and verify.
How to verify a charity (step-by-step)
You don’t need to be a forensic accountant. These simple checks will tell you almost everything you need to know in minutes.
Confirm legal status and registration
- IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search
- Ask for the charity’s legal name and EIN (Employer Identification Number).
- Search the IRS database for current 501(c)(3) status.
- If there’s no record, the name doesn’t match, or status has been revoked, do not donate.
- State charity regulator
- Most states require charities and professional fundraisers to register with the state (often through the Attorney General or Secretary of State).
- Search your state’s registry for the organization name. If it’s not there, that’s a warning sign, especially if they’re soliciting in that state.
- Watch for fiscal sponsors
- New or small programs may operate under a fiscal sponsor (a larger 501(c)(3) that accepts donations on their behalf).
- If they claim a sponsor, verify the sponsor’s nonprofit status and confirm the relationship.
What to ask (copy/paste):
“Could you share your organization’s legal name, EIN, and the link to your IRS charity profile? Also, are you registered to solicit donations in my state? If so, what name is it under?”
Review transparency and finances
- Form 990 (or 990-EZ)
- Many charities publish their Form 990 (annual IRS filing) on their website or on nonprofit directories.
- Look for: mission clarity, program descriptions, board list, revenue sources, and major expenses.
- Annual report + audited financials
- Check if they share an annual report and an independent audit (for larger orgs).
- You should see a program vs. admin/fundraising breakdown and stories of impact.
- Leadership and board
- Real names, roles, and backgrounds.
- Look for basic governance: multiple board members, not just one person controlling everything.
Tip: Don’t get trapped by the “overhead myth.” Some admin and fundraising costs are normal and necessary. You’re looking for reasonable ratios, honest disclosure, and real outcomes—not a perfect (and suspicious) “0% overhead” claim.
Verify the website and contact details
- Secure site: The URL should start with https:// and the domain should match the charity’s official name.
- Professional email: Prefer @charityname.org over random free addresses.
- Physical address and phone: Look up the address on a map. Call the main line listed on the official site (not just a number sent in a text or DM).
- No-link mismatch: If an email button says “Donate” but the link goes to a strange domain, back out.
Phone script (copy/paste):
“Hi, I’m considering a donation and want to verify a few details. Could you confirm your EIN, where I can find your latest Form 990, and whether you process donations directly on your site? Also, is there a contact who can answer questions about your programs in [city/region]?”
Check independent evaluations and reputation
- Reputable evaluators: Look for profiles on well-known charity evaluators and nonprofit directories. Consistency across these profiles is a good sign.
- Search news + reviews: Google the charity’s exact name with terms like “review,” “scam,” “complaints,” and the founder’s name.
- Social media sanity check: Is the engagement authentic? Are posts consistent over time? Is there transparency around campaigns and results?
Best practices for safe giving
- Give through official channels. Donate on the charity’s official website or via a known, reputable platform they link to.
- Use a credit card. You’ll have better fraud protection and dispute options than with cash, wire, or gift cards.
- Keep records. Save your receipts and confirmation emails for taxes and for your own tracking.
- Plan your giving. Consider choosing a few trusted nonprofits and setting up recurring donations. You’ll be less vulnerable to high-pressure appeals.
- Avoid on-the-spot decisions. If someone says “this offer expires in 5 minutes,” that’s your cue to pause and verify.
- Ask for specifics. “What’s a recent program outcome?” “How many people did you serve last quarter?” “Can you share the most recent audit?”
- Match gifts carefully. If someone claims your donation will be matched, ask who is matching and where that offer is documented.
Special situations to watch
Disaster relief appeals
Scammers thrive after major disasters. Before you give:
- Prefer established relief organizations with a record of working in that region.
- Confirm what your donation funds (immediate relief vs. long-term recovery).
- Look for activity updates: supplies delivered, shelters supported, partners on the ground.
Holiday-season giving
- Charities and fundraisers ramp up end-of-year appeals.
- Verify caller identity: if a fundraiser calls, ask if they are a paid solicitor and what percentage goes to the charity. Consider hanging up and giving directly on the charity’s site.
Political or issue-related groups
- Some organizations are not 501(c)(3) charities (they might be 501(c)(4) social-welfare orgs or PACs). Donations to them may not be tax-deductible.
- Always verify the org type and know whether you’re donating to charitable work or advocacy.
Crowdfunding (GoFundMe and similar)
Crowdfunding can help real people fast—but it’s also easy to fake. Before donating:
- Look for specifics: names, dates, location, updates, and receipts or medical bills (with privacy respected).
- Cross-check identities: Do friends or local groups vouch for the person?
- Prefer known connections: If you don’t know the organizer, try to give through a verified charity helping the same cause.
- Beware stolen photos: Reverse image search can catch copied images used in fake campaigns.
If you think you’ve been scammed
Act quickly. You may be able to stop payment or get your money back.
- Contact your bank or card issuer immediately.
- Ask about reversing the charge or disputing it as fraud.
- If you used a debit card, request your bank’s fraud process right away.
- Report the scam.
- File a report with the FTC.
- Notify your state charity regulator (often through the Attorney General).
- If someone misused a real charity’s name, inform that charity so they can warn others.
- If you sent a gift card or wire:
- Gift card: Contact the card issuer ASAP. Recovery is tough, but speed matters.
- Wire: Call your bank to try to recall the transfer.
- Change passwords and watch for identity theft.
- If you created an account on a fake site, change passwords on your real accounts, especially if you reused the same password.
- Consider setting up account alerts and credit monitoring.
- Learn and share.
- Note what happened so you can spot the pattern next time.
- Tell friends and family so they don’t fall for the same pitch.
How to talk to family and friends about fake charities
Older adults (common targets)
- Keep it simple and supportive. “You’re generous—that’s a strength. Let’s just do a quick 2-minute check before you give.”
- Set a rule together: No donating over the phone to unknown callers. If someone calls, hang up and donate directly on the nonprofit’s official site.
- Create a “trusted list.” Help them pick a few vetted charities and tape the list near the phone or computer.
Teens and kids
- Explain the “why.” Kids love helping. Show them how to check a site, look for HTTPS, and spot pressure tactics.
- Give together. Let them help choose the charity and read a success story so they see real impact.
Your community
- Share a checklist. Post a short “verify before you donate” list in your local Facebook group or community bulletin.
- Model good behavior. When you donate, share how you verified—EIN, IRS search, and official site.
Real vs. fake: how scammers mimic trust
Here are three common patterns (these are illustrative—not accusations toward any specific organization):
- Name cloning: A scammer registers “Helping Hands America Relief” and designs a site that looks like a well-known disaster nonprofit. They buy ads on social platforms with urgent language. You search a similar name and click their ad. The fix: always ask for the EIN, and look up the group on the IRS site.
- Spoofed fundraising calls: A fundraiser says your local firefighter charity needs money “tonight.” They push you to pay by gift card and refuse to send info by email. The fix: hang up, find your local fire department’s official site, and donate there.
- Crowdfunding copycats: A fraudster copies photos from an old medical fundraiser and reposts them as a new campaign with a small goal to seem humble. The fix: look for specifics and updates, cross-check names, and consider donating to the hospital foundation or verified charity assisting the patient.
Donate with confidence: a quick mindset shift
Here’s the truth: verifying is part of caring. Taking 2–3 minutes to confirm a charity’s status isn’t cold or cynical—it’s how you make sure your kindness actually reaches people who need it. Most organizations will happily answer your questions. If someone gets annoyed, that’s feedback you should listen to.
Pre-Donation Verification Checklist
Step 1: Identity & Status
- ☐ Ask for the charity’s legal name and EIN
- ☐ Confirm 501(c)(3) status with the IRS search
- ☐ Check state registration (Attorney General or Sec. of State site)
Step 2: Transparency
- ☐ Find Form 990 or 990-EZ online
- ☐ Review annual report and (if available) independent audit
- ☐ Confirm board and leadership (real names, not a mystery)
Step 3: Website & Contact
- ☐ Donate only via https:// official website
- ☐ Verify physical address and phone
- ☐ Watch for link mismatches or odd domains
Step 4: Payment & Records
- ☐ Use a credit card (better fraud protection)
- ☐ Save your receipt and confirmation email
- ☐ Avoid gift cards, wires, cash, or crypto-only requests
Step 5: Reputation
- ☐ Look up independent charity profiles/evaluations
- ☐ Search “[Charity Name] + review/scam/complaints”
- ☐ Scan news mentions or verified impact updates
Copy-and-Paste Templates
Email to a charity before donating
Subject: Quick verification before my donation
Hi [Charity Name] team,
I’m planning to donate and just wanted to verify a few details: your legal name, EIN, a link to your IRS charity profile, and where I can view your latest Form 990 or annual report.Could you also confirm whether you’re registered to solicit donations in [Your State]?
Thanks so much—I appreciate your work and look forward to supporting you.
Best,
[Your Name]
Phone script for a fundraiser call
“Thanks for calling. Before I donate, could you give me your charity’s legal name and EIN? Also, are you a paid fundraiser or directly with the charity? What percentage of my donation goes to the charity? I’ll donate through the official website once I confirm these details. Thanks.”
If a friend shares a crowdfunding link
“This looks important. Do you know the organizer personally, or has anyone verified the details? I’m happy to help—just want to make sure the funds reach the right person.”
FAQs
Q: If a charity isn’t in the IRS database, is it automatically fake?
A: Not always. It could be a new project or operating under a fiscal sponsor. Ask for the sponsor’s EIN and verify the relationship. If they can’t explain, don’t donate.
Q: Is a high program-spending ratio the only thing that matters?
A: No. Ratios matter, but so do outcomes, governance, and transparency. A charity with honest reporting and clear results can be a better bet than one claiming “0% overhead.”
Q: Are text-to-donate campaigns safe?
A: Many are legit, especially those run by known charities. Still, verify the short code on the charity’s official site first.
Q: Can I get my money back from a scammy donation?
A: Sometimes. Credit cards offer the best chance. Contact your issuer quickly, file disputes, and report the scam.
Q: Do churches and religious organizations file Form 990?
A: Many churches are exempt from filing Form 990. You can still ask for financial statements, leadership info, and how donations are used.
Final thoughts
You don’t need to be a fraud expert to donate safely. You just need a simple, repeatable process:
- Confirm legal status (EIN + IRS).
- Check transparency (990, annual report, real leadership).
- Donate via official channels (https:// site, credit card).
- Keep records and trust your gut.
That’s it. With these habits, your generosity stays powerful and protected—and more of your dollars reach the people and programs you care about.