Common Giving Scams and How to Spot Them

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, November 1, 2026

Fraudsters are increasingly targeting donors during the holiday season by creating fake charities and using phishing emails to steal money. As charitable contributions surge in December, authorities warn that vigilance and careful research are essential to prevent donations from falling into the hands of scammers.

As the holiday season prompts a surge in charitable donations, fraudsters are increasingly exploiting the generosity of donors by operating a variety of scams. Charitable giving spikes notably in December, accounting for nearly one-third of annual contributions, according to data from the fundraising platform Donorbox. However, this period of heightened generosity also sees a corresponding rise in fraudulent activity aimed at deceiving well-meaning individuals.

One common tactic used by scammers involves establishing fake charities with names that mimic or closely resemble legitimate nonprofit organizations. These fraudulent entities often adopt impressive-sounding titles to create a false sense of authenticity, making it difficult for donors to distinguish them from trusted charities. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has highlighted such practices as a prevalent form of holiday-season fraud.

Phishing emails represent another widespread method by which criminals target potential donors. These emails typically contain links that recipients are urged to click, often under the guise of receiving a prize or a communication from a known institution like a bank or credit card company. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that imposter scams, including those tied to phishing efforts, resulted in $3.5 billion in losses in 2025, a figure that has nearly tripled since 2020. Experts caution that donors should never share credit card details via email, even if the message appears to come from a reputable charity.

Scammers also employ aggressive pressure tactics to prompt immediate contributions. Solicitations that insist on urgent donations, particularly made over the phone or through email links, should raise red flags. Reputable organizations do not coerce donors into quick payments, and requests for donations via cash, gift cards, or wire transfers are especially suspect. The FTC advises individuals to terminate calls or ignore emails when confronted with these demands.

Another deceptive strategy involves sending unsolicited “thank you” messages to individuals who have never contributed to a particular charity. These messages are designed to create a false impression of an existing relationship, thereby lowering the recipient’s guard. This approach exploits donors’ goodwill and the hectic pace of the holiday season, when time for verifying organizations may be limited.

To protect themselves, donors are encouraged to carefully research charities before contributing. Resources and guidance on spotting and avoiding scams are available through official consumer protection websites.

With charitable giving peaking during the last months of the year, vigilance remains crucial to ensure that donations reach legitimate causes rather than fraudulent actors seeking to capitalize on the season’s spirit of generosity.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.