Consumer and financial safety
FTC warns of disaster-donation scams: how California donors can check a charity
Fake charities and impersonators move quickly after disasters. Three official lookup tools can help donors verify an appeal before money changes hands.
The warning arrives while disaster appeals are moving online
The Federal Trade Commission warned on August 27 that scammers are building fake charities and impersonating established organizations to divert money meant for people affected by weather emergencies and natural disasters. A familiar name, a friend’s social-media share or an urgent text is not proof that an appeal is genuine. The safest moment to investigate is before entering payment information.
Start with the organization, not the message
Do not use the phone number, QR code or donation link inside an unsolicited appeal as your starting point. Type the charity’s known web address yourself or find its official site through an independent search, then confirm that the campaign and contact details appear there. If the appeal came through social media, contact the organization through a channel listed on its official website. A copied logo and a convincing story can be fabricated.
Use the federal tax-exempt lookup
The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool lets the public check an organization’s tax-exempt status, eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions and available filings, including Form 990 returns. Search by the organization’s exact legal name and, when available, its employer identification number. A listing helps confirm that the entity exists in federal records; it does not guarantee that a particular message, fundraiser or payment account is authorized.
California donors have a second registry to check
The California Attorney General regulates charities and fundraisers that solicit in the state and provides a public Registry Search Tool with registration records, status information and filings. Compare the registry name and address with the organization’s official site and the appeal you received. The Attorney General says the records help donors research a charity before giving, but registration alone does not measure how effectively an organization uses every dollar.
Payment pressure is a reason to stop
The FTC says not to donate to someone who insists on cash, gift cards, a wire transfer or cryptocurrency as the only payment method. Do not let a countdown, emotional image or claim that help will disappear in minutes override basic verification. If you decide to give, use the charity’s confirmed website and a payment method that creates a record. Review the amount and whether the form quietly adds a recurring contribution before submitting it.
If the appeal appears fraudulent
Save the message, sender information, website address and payment details without continuing the conversation. Report suspected charity fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. California residents can also file a charity or fundraiser complaint with the state Attorney General. If money has already been sent, contact the payment company or financial institution immediately; NOCTI’s separate first-hour scam response guide explains the next account-protection and reporting steps.
Why this belongs in a men’s wellness newsroom
A donation scam can carry more than a dollar loss: embarrassment may keep someone quiet and delay reporting. That silence helps fraudsters, not the person who was targeted. Tell a trusted person, document what happened and use official reporting channels. This article offers consumer education, not financial or legal advice, and NOCTI does not verify charities or process donations.
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