Charity and disaster appeals
After a news event or disaster, scammers set up fake appeals that ask for donations in crypto, often through lookalike pages and social posts.
How it works
- 1A disaster or crisis makes the news.
- 2Fake charity accounts and pages appear within hours, sharing emotional stories and a wallet address.
- 3You donate in crypto, which is hard to trace and generally can't be reversed.
- 4The page disappears, or keeps collecting while none of it reaches anyone in need.
A realistic example (fictional)
After a major flood, a post goes viral with a Bitcoin address "for relief efforts". The account was created the day before. A quick search finds that no registered charity uses that address.
Warning signs
- An appeal from an account that's brand new or has few followers
- Pressure to give right now
- Donations in crypto or gift cards only
- No clear charity name or registration number
- Stories or photos that appear copied
- Wallet addresses shared in comments or direct messages
What to do
Haven't sent anything?
Go directly to the charity's official website and donate there. Report suspicious posts.
Already sent something?
- Stop. Don't send any more.
- Save the post, the address, and the transaction ID.
- Contact Support to report it.
- Report it to the authorities.
Protect yourself
- Check a charity's registration with your national regulator before giving.
- Type the charity's web address yourself rather than following a link.
- Be wary of any appeal that arrives unasked.
Report it
Tell us first, then the authorities. See all the ways to report.
Authorities: FBI IC3 (ic3.gov) · your local police · your bank or card issuer if you paid that way.