Donations are necessary and voluntary. People are willing to help, especially when they see someone else's misfortune. But along with genuine stories of support, fraudulent schemes are increasingly appearing online. Under the guise of help, money is collected that ultimately does not reach those in need.
Fraud in the field of charity is not uncommon. Such schemes are carefully disguised. Often they look like a regular fundraising effort. A touching photo, a text calling for help, urgent requests to assist. Many do not doubt and send money instantly. This is exactly what fraudsters count on.
The more communication channels, the easier it is to spread fake stories. Social networks, messengers, even clone sites. Everything is used for one purpose — to gain trust and get money. And if a person does not verify the information, the chances of falling for it are much higher. Fraudsters know how to evoke sympathy, act quickly and confidently, and therefore become more inventive.
Main Methods of Deception
There are several popular methods used by fraudsters. One of the simplest is to invent a non-existent story and forge documents. Other people's photos, fictitious diagnoses, and accounts are used. All of this is presented as a genuine fundraising effort for treatment or support.
Sometimes fraudsters copy real cases, only changing the details. Victims think they are helping those in need, but the money goes elsewhere. In other cases, deceivers take the name of a real foundation and create a fake page for it. Visually, it may be almost indistinguishable, but the details are fake.
One of the alarming signs is if money is requested to be transferred to a personal card. Such collections are explained by the desire to "speed up help," but in reality, this bypasses official procedures. In this case, there is no financial reporting, and verifying the foundation becomes impossible.
The difference in these schemes is that they do not rely on trust in people but on trust in distress. This emotional pressure is actively used by those who want to profit.
Where Fake Collections Most Often Occur
Fraudulent collections are most often posted on social networks. They quickly spread through reposts, and the emotional message works stronger than facts. Texts often start with phrases like "Urgently need help," "Only one day left," or "Just a little more needed."
Emotions make victims decide to transfer money faster. The trick is simple. If you don't send it right now, the child won't be helped, the operation won't be done, the animal will die. This is the main tool used by authors of fake collections.
Such cases are most active during periods of public disasters — earthquakes, floods, armed conflicts. At such times, society is especially ready to help, and that's when many fraudsters with fake requests appear. Checking at such moments becomes difficult, and this gives them an advantage.
It also happens that attackers use old stories that are already closed and no longer relevant. They publish old texts with new details and collect money on someone else's tragedy. This makes the situation even more dangerous because such stories have already gained trust.
How Not to Become a Victim of Fraud
Before transferring money, at least basic information needs to be verified. Most schemes can be detected at an early stage. Here is a list of signs that indicate possible fraud:
- money is requested to be transferred to an individual's card;
- no links to a registered charitable foundation;
- lack of documents (diagnoses, statements, treatment bills);
- the website or page lacks legal information;
- no reports on previous collections;
- there is obvious emotional pressure in the publication.
Before donating, you need to understand who is collecting the money, what exactly it will go towards, and whether there are official confirmations. This helps preserve funds and direct assistance where it is truly needed. A simple check of the foundation takes a couple of minutes but can save from serious consequences.
What to Do If the Money Has Already Gone to Fraudsters
If deception has already occurred and funds were sent, it's important to act without delay. The first step is to contact your bank and try to cancel the transfer. If done immediately, sometimes the money can still be returned.
The next step is to collect evidence. This can include screenshots, details, correspondence, links to the page. All of this will help if you contact the police or cybersecurity service. The sooner a complaint is filed, the higher the chance to block the fraudsters.
It's also useful to share information with others. The more people know about the scheme, the less likely it is that someone else will fall for it. This is especially important if a fake copy of a real foundation was used. Such cases not only harm the victims of fraud but also the reputation of real organizations. Understanding how donation protection works helps to maintain trust in charity.