Recognize the pattern
How it starts
Shared posts, unsolicited calls or disaster donation messages.
The promise
Urgent relief needs your immediate transfer to help affected families.
What happens next
Compassion and breaking events discourage checks. Shared posts may be unverified, with unclear organizers and fund destinations.
Signs to watch for
- Unverifiable organization or purpose
- Pressure without complete information
- Only opaque personal payments accepted
Start with what you can do now
If this happened to you
Stop further donations and sharing
Notify the payment provider and impersonated charity
Keep appeal materials; report to authorities or police
What to save
Keep the original records. Use copies to organize the details.
- Original appeal and link
- Claimed organization and project
- Payment code and account details
- Donation receipts and messages
Before you send money
- Donate through the charity’s official channel
- Verify project, recipient and use of funds
- Check even when a friend shares the appeal
These guides explain common patterns. The facts of your situation and your payment provider’s rules determine which steps are available.