TL;DR: Fake charity and relief scams typically spike in the 24 to 72 hours after a hurricane, wildfire, or other natural disaster is declared, when public attention and donation activity are at their highest and verification is hardest to do quickly. Donate directly through a charity's official website rather than a link in a text or social post, and check the organization's standing with an independent charity evaluator before giving.
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Fake charity and relief scams typically spike in the 24 to 72 hours after a hurricane, wildfire, or other natural disaster is declared, when public attention and donation activity are at their highest and verification is hardest to do quickly.
How the Scam Plays Out
Scammers register charity-sounding names, run social media ads with dramatic imagery, and solicit donations by phone or text, funneling money to accounts that have no connection to actual relief efforts.
How to Protect Yourself
Donate directly through a charity's official website rather than a link in a text or social post, and check the organization's standing with an independent charity evaluator before giving.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading Election Season Political Donation Scams.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see End-of-Lease Moving Scams.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
Fake charity and relief scams typically spike in the 24 to 72 hours after a hurricane, wildfire, or other natural disaster is declared, when public attention and donation activity are at their highest and verification is hardest to do quickly.
What tactics are used?
Scammers register charity-sounding names, run social media ads with dramatic imagery, and solicit donations by phone or text, funneling money to accounts that have no connection to actual relief efforts.
How can I protect myself?
Donate directly through a charity's official website rather than a link in a text or social post, and check the organization's standing with an independent charity evaluator before giving.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.