Fake disaster relief call
"Hi, this is Mark calling from Hurricane Relief America. We're collecting emergency funds for families affected by the recent hurricane. Even $50 can provide a week of meals. Can I take your credit card number to process a donation today? Time is critical — many families have no food."
What not to do
- Do not give credit card or bank information to anyone who calls you asking for donations.
- Do not donate based on a name alone — many fake charities mimic real ones.
- Do not respond to pressure to 'donate now' before you've verified the charity.
Safer next step
- Look up the charity on charitynavigator.org or give.org before donating anything.
- If you want to help, go directly to the website of a charity you already trust — the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc.
- Real charities accept donations any time. There's no 'closing window' that would prevent your donation from helping.