Fake Charity and Disaster Relief Donation Scams
Category
Charity and Donations
Affects
Residents
Status
Ongoing
Source
American Red Cross of Southern Nevada
Scammers exploit disasters and the giving season by posing as well-known relief agencies to solicit fake donations, and by offering fake disaster assistance that charges an upfront fee. The American Red Cross of Southern Nevada warns that criminals use look-alike websites, slightly altered web addresses, and familiar logos to appear legitimate, and push for immediate payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer. Red Cross disaster assistance is always free, so anyone charging a fee to help you is not legitimate.
How it works
- A message, social media post, or caller asks you to donate right now to help victims of a disaster, using an unfamiliar website or payment link.
- The site or caller imitates a real relief agency with a similar name, a familiar logo, or a slightly altered web address, so it looks legitimate.
- Other versions pose as disaster assistance and ask for an upfront fee or your personal and banking information before any help is given.
Red flags
- Pressure to donate immediately, especially right after a disaster is in the news.
- A request to donate or pay by gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer.
- A web address that is slightly off from the real charity, or a donation link you did not expect.
- Anyone charging a fee for disaster assistance. Red Cross help is always free.
What to do
- Give only through the charity's own website that you type in yourself, not a link from a text, email, or social post.
- Verify a charity before giving. Look it up independently and confirm the exact web address.
- Never donate with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, and never share passwords or banking details to receive assistance.
- Report suspected charity or disaster fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Already paid or shared information? See the step-by-step checklist and the list of places to report. You can also report to the FTC or the FBI IC3.
Does your group want a short talk on scams? Request a free community talk.
Posted solely for community awareness. This is not an official government or law enforcement notice, and High Sierra Cyber is not affiliated with any agency named here. Board last updated October 20, 2026. Details, phone numbers, and policies change, so confirm with the official agency before acting. Submitted reports are unverified. General information only, not legal or financial advice.