Home & Family
Fake charity appeal
After disasters and around the holidays, fake charities call, mail, text, and email asking for donations. They use names that sound almost like real charities, thank you for pledges you never made, and push you to give right away — sometimes by gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency, which no real charity asks for. Your generosity goes straight into a scammer's pocket.
What it looks like
Example scam message“We're collecting for families affected by the recent hurricane. Can we count on your $100 pledge tonight? I can take your card number right now — every hour matters.”
Details like names, amounts, and links change — the pattern stays the same.
Red flags to watch for
- A name that is close to, but not exactly, a charity you know.
- Pressure to donate right now, tonight.
- A thank-you for a pledge you never made.
- Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
What to do
- Give on your own schedule, never on a caller's deadline.
- Look up the charity at give.org or CharityNavigator.org before donating.
- Pay by check or credit card — never gift cards, wire, or crypto.
- If a caller claims you pledged before, ask for the date in writing. Real charities can provide it.
Where to report it
Got a message like this?
Paste it in and get a plain-English answer in seconds — free, no sign-up needed.
Check a message like thisRelated scams
ShieldGuard provides informational guidance to help you spot likely scams. It is not legal or financial advice and not a guarantee — no tool catches every scam. When money is involved, slow down and talk to someone you trust before acting.