Fake charity scam
Fake fundraisers that exploit disasters and emotional causes.
How it works
After a bushfire, earthquake or war, fake charities appear on social media and via door-knockers. They use real photos of victims and pressure you to donate via gift card, crypto or bank transfer.
Common scenarios to watch for
This scam shows up in several different shapes. Recognise the pattern, not just one message.
Disaster-response page
Within hours of a flood, fire or earthquake, fake fundraising pages appear with real victim photos. PayID and crypto only.
"URGENT: Lismore floods. Send any amount via PayID to help@floodrelief-nsw.org — every dollar saves a family."
Red flags to spot
- Did the charity appear immediately after a disaster with no track record?
- Are they only accepting PayID, crypto, or wire transfer?
- Can you find the charity registered on acnc.gov.au?
- Are they using real victim photos without permission?
Street collector with fake QR
A collector in a high-vis vest stands outside a supermarket with a QR code. The page is unrelated to any registered charity.
"Hi! Help kids with cancer — scan to donate any amount, fully tax deductible."
Red flags to spot
- Does the collector have official charity ID and a registered ABN?
- Is the QR code or donation page branded with a real charity you recognise?
- Are they pressuring you to donate on the spot?
- Can you verify the charity independently before donating?
Fake GoFundMe lookalike
Story is real (often copied from news), but the donation page is hosted on a lookalike domain that the scammer controls.
"Help baby Jaxon's surgery — donate at gofundme-jaxon.help (the real page is on gofundme.com)."
Red flags to spot
- Is the donation URL a lookalike domain (e.g. gofundme-jaxon.help instead of gofundme.com)?
- Did you find the page through social media rather than the family's direct share?
- Can you verify the campaign on the real platform by searching for it?
- Are payment methods limited to methods hard to trace (crypto, wire)?
Red flags
- 🚩Charity you've never heard of, created in the last week
- 🚩Donation by gift card or crypto only
- 🚩Won't show ABN or ACNC registration
- 🚩Pressure to give on the spot
What to do
- 1Check the charity on acnc.gov.au before donating.
- 2Give directly via the official website of well-known charities.
- 3Never donate by gift card or crypto.
Who's targeted
- Generous donors after major disasters or news events.
- Seniors approached by door-knockers or church-group impersonators.
Why it works
- Emotional images and 'every dollar saves a life' urgency bypass checks.
- Names mimic real charities closely (e.g. 'Red Cross Relief Fund AU').
Common variations
Different shapes of the same scam — recognise the pattern.
- 1Crowdfunding pages set up within hours of a disaster.
- 2Door-knockers with fake ID and a tap-to-pay terminal.
- 3Instagram DMs from 'volunteers' asking for crypto.
If you've already been scammed
- 1Dispute the charge with your bank or card provider as soon as possible.
- 2Report the fake charity to ACNC and Scamwatch.
- 3Share warnings — fake charities spread on social media after disasters.
Frequently asked
How do I check a charity is real?▾
Search the name on acnc.gov.au — every registered charity is listed.
Are GoFundMe pages safe?▾
Sometimes — verify the organiser is the real victim or family.
Can I claim a tax deduction?▾
Only for charities with DGR status, verified on the ABR.
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