Instagram Donation Scams – How to Spot Fake Charities

There are a lot of people and animals in need out there, and just as many unscrupulous people willing to take advantage of that. The apps might change, but the intentions never do: these scammers want your money and are willing to play on your heartstrings to do it.

Instagram has its fair share of scam donation calls and fake charities. It helps to be aware of the red flags and think twice before falling prey to these scammers. In this article, we’ll give you some pointers to spotting them.

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The Instagram Fake Charity Scam

Scams thrive in the chaos of our world. Recent conflicts around the world, combined with natural disasters that occur every year, prompt charities and non-profit organizations (NPOs) to ask people for aid. Some of these, though, aren’t what they seem. Younger users are particularly vulnerable to online calls for donations or funding.

On Instagram, scammers use footage of people or animals in distress to garner sympathy before asking for donations. They rely on emotion over rational thinking, which can hinder judgment. Sometimes scammers will even use footage from legitimate charities and pose as them. How can you stay protected? Let’s look at some things to be aware of:

Check the Account

If you get a DM or come across a charity in your feed that seems worth donating to (or persuasive), first check their account. Established charities will commonly be verified by a blue tick, guaranteeing their authenticity on Instagram. Be sure to see how long the account has been active. Scam accounts are set up frequently and have a very short lifespan before being banned.

Investigate the Charity

In the case of smaller charities and foreign NPOs, it can be more difficult to distinguish a true call for help from a fake one. Many sites can help you cross-reference charities worldwide. Give.org is good for looking at American charities.

Beware Funding Campaigns

Scammers using sites like GoFundMe keep the money they make from kind-hearted donors. Though these sites are pretty good about keeping funding pages above board, it helps to investigate them yourself. Check their establishment date and read more about what they do. If anything seems suspicious (spelling, details, lack of updates), don’t donate.

Don’t Donate via the Link

If you do want to donate to the charity, do so by visiting their site directly. Links on an Instagram video might turn into a phishing attempt to gain your banking details, with the site even appearing legitimate.

If you do click through on a hyperlink from Instagram, be sure to check the address itself. Fake sites often have extra numbers or misspelled words in the address to mimic legitimacy but not copy it directly.

Report to Instagram

It might seem like an uphill battle, but report any fake charity you come across to Meta. This can help them keep others safe and better guard against similar attempts in the future.

Don’t Be Hasty

This is solid advice for all scams, but it’s always important to take a step back when faced with content that plays on your emotions. A video might appeal to your sense of urgency, especially in cases of war, disaster, or famine, but it’s important to make a smart choice, rather than pay a scammer. Consider all the above flags and the nature of the video or image you’ve seen, and don’t be afraid to walk away for a bit while you do.

Verify Another website

Are you just about to make a purchase online? See if the website is legit with our validator:

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