What Are Fake Fundraisers?

Fake fundraisers involve scammers posing as representatives of legitimate charities or organizing fraudulent campaigns to collect money. These scams exploit generosity and trust to steal funds.

How Do They Work?

Scammers typically:

• Create fake fundraising campaigns on social media or crowdfunding platforms.
• Pose as representatives of real charities or fabricate new ones.
• Use emotional stories to solicit donations.
• Provide fake receipts or tax documents to appear legitimate.

Examples of Fake Fundraisers

Fake fundraisers exploit the goodwill of people who want to help others in need. Below are common examples of how these scams operate:

• Fake Crowdfunding Pages: Scammers create convincing crowdfunding pages on popular platforms, claiming to raise money for disaster relief or medical emergencies. They use emotionally charged stories and images to compel donations but pocket the money instead of using it for the stated cause.
• Impersonation of Charities: Fraudsters pretend to represent legitimate charities by creating fake websites, social media profiles, or email campaigns. They solicit donations, often using the name of a well-known organization, and redirect the funds to their accounts.
• Door-to-Door Fundraising Scams: Individuals posing as charity representatives visit homes, collecting cash donations for fabricated causes. They may carry fake identification or use counterfeit materials to appear authentic.
• Social Media Fundraising Hoaxes: Scammers spread posts about fabricated personal tragedies or urgent medical needs, asking for direct donations via payment apps or bank transfers. These stories often include stolen photos or fabricated details to elicit sympathy.
• Event-Based Fundraisers: Fraudsters organize fake fundraising events, such as benefit concerts or charity auctions, to collect money. Once the event concludes or is canceled, the funds disappear without reaching the supposed beneficiaries.

How to Avoid Fake Fundraisers

• Verify the legitimacy of fundraising campaigns before donating.
• Donate directly to established charities through their official websites.
• Be cautious of urgent appeals for donations.
• Research the organizer’s history on crowdfunding platforms.

Category

In-Person Scam