Scam alert
Donation Requests After a Disaster: Giving Without Being Taken
Updated · First posted
After disasters · consumer.ftc.gov · Arrives by texts, social media posts, and phone calls
The short answer
An unsolicited ask to donate right after a named storm, especially through a crowdfunding link or someone claiming to be a relief agency, is a reason to pause. Give only to organizations you already know, and start from their own website rather than from a link in a message. Look the group up at ftc.gov/charity before you give, and if a text asks you to donate to a short code, confirm that number on the organization's own site first.
What is happening
In September 2026, Hawaii's Attorney General warned that after Hurricane Lowell damaged Kauai, scammers were using fake charities, crowdfunding campaigns, and government or relief impersonation to solicit money and personal information. The Federal Trade Commission said the same month that after emergencies, scammers often pose as government officials, charities, or contractors. Appeals can spread quickly on social media, where a widely shared post says nothing about who receives the money.
How to recognize it
- An unsolicited ask to give arrives right after a named storm or disaster, especially from a crowdfunding link or someone claiming to be a relief agency.
- The organization is new, and its name is very close to one you recognize.
- The request arrives as a shared social post or forwarded text rather than from the charity itself.
- You are pressed to give immediately, while the need is urgent.
- The only payment options offered are gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.
- The appeal thanks you for a donation you do not remember making.
What to do instead
- Choose the organization first, then find its website yourself. Do not start from the link you were sent.
- Look the charity up at ftc.gov/charity before giving to a name you do not know.
- If you want to give by text, confirm the number on the charity's own website.
- Pay by credit card or check, which leave a record, rather than by gift card, wire, cryptocurrency, or payment app.
- Take the time you need. A real organization will still accept the donation tomorrow.
If it already happened
Responding to one of these is common and understandable. These steps are what people usually take next.
- Contact your card company or bank promptly and explain that the charity may not be genuine.
- Keep the receipt, the message, and any confirmation you received.
- Report it to the FTC, which uses charity-fraud reports to spot patterns.
- If you gave by gift card, call the card's issuer right away and ask whether the funds can be frozen.
Common questions
- How can I check a charity quickly?
- Start at ftc.gov/charity, which links to the tools that show how an organization spends what it receives and whether it is registered.
- Is a widely shared social media post a good sign?
- No. Shares measure how moving a post is, not who receives the money. Verify the organization separately.
- What payment method is safest for donations?
- A credit card or a check. Both create a record and offer more options if something turns out to be wrong. Requests for gift cards, wires, cryptocurrency, or payment apps are a common sign of a scam.
Practice this safely
Practice pausing on an urgent, sympathetic request and checking the organization independently before acting.
Every story is fictional. There is no timer, no score, and no real message, payment, or account.
Tell someone
Copy a short note you can paste into a text or email. It names the scam, the next step, and this page. Nothing is sent from this site.
Donation Requests After a Disaster: Giving Without Being Taken An unsolicited ask to donate right after a named storm, especially through a crowdfunding link or someone claiming to be a relief agency, is a reason to pause. Give only to organizations you already know, and start from their own website rather than from a link in a message. Look the group up at ftc.gov/charity before you give, and if a text asks you to donate to a short code, confirm that number on the organization's own site first. Read the full alert: https://endscamsproject.com/latest-scams/disaster-relief-donation-scams
Where this comes from
These links open the published sources in a new tab. The destination is shown before you open it.
- FTC: When donating, support those in need, not a scammer (August 2026) (opens in a new tab)
consumer.ftc.gov
- FTC: How to check out a charity before you give (opens in a new tab)
consumer.ftc.gov
- Hawaii Department of the Attorney General: Warns public to be alert for scams following Hurricane Lowell (News Release 2026-55, September 15, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
ag.hawaii.gov
- Office of the Governor of Hawaii: Department of the Attorney General warns public after Hurricane Lowell (September 15, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
governor.hawaii.gov
- FTC: This National Preparedness Month, plan ahead to avoid scams (September 9, 2026) (opens in a new tab)
consumer.ftc.gov
- Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (opens in a new tab)
ReportFraud.ftc.gov
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This alert provides general educational information drawn from the sources above. It cannot determine whether a specific message you received is genuine, investigate an incident, or promise recovery or reimbursement.