Charity impersonation scams are evolving quickly, but a few simple verification steps can help donors avoid fraud and charities protect donor trust.
New Ways Charity Impersonation Scams Target Donors and Nonprofits
Earlier this month, ABC News reported on an elaborate and disturbing scheme in which scammers impersonate immigration attorneys and nonprofits on social media platforms to exploit the growing demand for immigration legal services. Some schemes reportedly use artificial intelligence to manufacture fake hearings, including people dressed as judges or officers during video calls.
These scams can seriously threaten the reputation of legitimate charities while stealing from vulnerable immigrant families.
Last month, The Chronicle of Philanthropy also covered scammers spoofing charities and donors on Venmo. “Spoofing” is a tactic in which bad actors disguise themselves as a trusted source, such as a familiar charity, to trick victims into sending money or sharing personal information.
Scammers may copy an organization’s logo, branding, and even create social media usernames that differ from the legitimate account by only a character or two. In the Chronicle story, volunteers connected to a Pennsylvania animal welfare organization received fraudulent donation solicitations impersonating the charity.
Technology Is Making Charity Fraud Harder to Spot
While technology can be a powerful force for charitable giving, it can also equip scammers with increasingly sophisticated tools.
Recent technological advances have made charity fraud easier through lower costs of impersonation, the ability to scale quickly online, and increasingly sophisticated emotional targeting:
- Artificial intelligence can be used to generate realistic fraudulent emails, websites, and images.
- Social media platforms can be a vehicle for scammers to rapidly spread emotional appeals.
- Cryptocurrency and other difficult-to-trace payment methods can make it harder to recover stolen funds.
Unfortunately, these technologies can enable bad actors to create highly convincing fraudulent appeals that harm donors, legitimate charities, and the public trust that connects them.
Advice for Donors: Watch for Common Charity Scam Tactics
Before you give, take a few moments to verify that the appeal, account, and organization are legitimate.
Beware of “Look-alike” websites, social media, or payment accounts.
Carefully check website addresses, usernames, and donation links. If you donate through Venmo, PayPal, or Cash App, make sure you are using the charity’s official and verified account. Scammers may create look-alike usernames, profiles, or QR codes that closely resemble legitimate organizations. When possible, navigate to the payment account through the charity’s official website or look for verification indicators provided by the platform before sending money.
If something feels unusual (whether it is the tone of a message, an unexpected payment request, or a new account claiming to represent a familiar organization), contact the charity directly using information from its official website.
Be cautious of similar-sounding charity names.
Be cautious of appeals that use names very similar to well-known charities. Scammers often rely on familiarity and goodwill, counting on donors who may not pause to verify before giving.
Pause before responding to high-pressure fundraising appeals.
Scammers frequently manipulate emotions with urgent stories about people or animals in desperate need, while providing few verifiable details. Even during genuine times of need, trustworthy charities will welcome follow-up questions and should accept your donation when you are ready.
Avoid unusual or hard-to-trace payment requests.
Be cautious if someone insists on payment with cryptocurrency like Bitcoin and avoid any requests to donate via gift cards, wire transfers, cash apps or virtual currency. Requests for these payment methods are common warning signs of scams because the funds are often difficult or impossible to recover.
Take time to verify the organization.
If you have concerns, take time to visit the charity’s website, look for its report on Give.org, or verify that the charity is registered with the IRS or your state charity regulator. You can verify an organization’s charitable tax-exempt status through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. In addition, about 40 of the 50 states require charities to register with the attorney general’s office or secretary of state before soliciting donations.
Know Where to Report Charity Fraud
If you want to alert a law enforcement agency about a problem you encountered, contact the attorney general’s office in your state (in Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency). For allegations of charity fraud, you can also inform the Federal Trade Commission. These agencies use such reports to help identify and investigate questionable activities.
Tips for Charities: Protect Your Organization from Impersonation Scams
Fraud prevention is both a cybersecurity and donor trust issue. While it can be difficult to predict when bad actors will impersonate an organization, charities of all sizes can take meaningful steps to reduce risk and respond effectively.
Report Fraud Attempts Promptly
Many charities avoid formally reporting fraud attempts, which can make it harder to warn the public and identify broader patterns. Organizations that experience impersonation scams, fake donation accounts, or other cyber fraud should report incidents promptly to law enforcement, state regulators, relevant social media platforms, and applicable vendors or payment processors. Prompt reporting can help platforms remove fraudulent accounts faster and may help prevent additional victims.
Train Staff and Volunteers to Recognize Suspicious Communications
Frontline staff and volunteers should understand common scam tactics, how to recognize suspicious communications, and how to respond professionally if concerns arise. Organizations should also establish clear internal procedures for escalating potential cybersecurity or fraud threats to previously identified personnel.
Claim and Monitor Your Charity’s Online Presence
Even small nonprofits should regularly monitor social media platforms, giving or fundraising platforms, and domain registrations for impersonation attempts or fake accounts. Claiming official usernames early can also reduce opportunities for fraud.
Communicate Clearly if Your Charity Is Impersonated
If your organization is impersonated, timely and transparent communication matters. Alert donors and supporters quickly through official channels, explain what is known, and provide clear guidance on how to identify legitimate communications moving forward. Honest communication can help preserve trust.
Protecting Donor Trust Starts with Verification
Technology has made modern charity scams more sophisticated, but awareness, verification, and proactive communication remain powerful tools for protecting both donors and charities.
If you are considering donating to a charity, always search for its report on Give.org to see if the charity meets the 20 BBB Charity Standards.
Recent Reports
We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.
