Charity and Emergency Appeals Shared on WhatsApp
Medical bills, funerals, disasters and sick children: emergency appeals spread fast on WhatsApp, and some are fake. How to check an appeal and give safely.
When disaster strikes or someone in the community falls ill, appeals spread across WhatsApp within hours. Most are genuine. Some copy real stories and photos, but send the money to a scammer's account.
Warning signs
- No named organiser you can contact, or only a mobile money number.
- Photos that also appear in other appeals. See reverse image search.
- Heavy pressure: "give now", "every minute counts", "share to 10 groups".
- A charity name that is slightly different from a well-known one.
- Requests for gift cards or crypto.
How to check before giving
- Personal appeals: contact the family or organiser through someone you know, and ask who holds the money.
- Charities: check the official charity register in that country, then give through the charity's own website.
- Disaster appeals: give to established organisations already working in the area.
- Group appeals: ask the group admin who verified it. See community group scams.
Many countries have a charity register, such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Search for your country's register before you give to an organisation you do not know.
Related: fake charity appeals and scams that follow the news. For more, see our guide to WhatsApp scams.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if a charity is real?
Check the official charity register in its country and give through the charity's own website.
What about personal appeals for someone's medical bills?
Confirm with the family or the organiser directly, preferably someone you know, and ask how funds are managed.
Is crowdfunding safer than a bank transfer to a stranger?
Platforms may offer some checks, but you should still confirm who set up the fundraiser and how the money reaches the person.
Sources
- Before Giving to a Charity, US Federal Trade Commission
- Donating Through Crowdfunding and Fundraising Platforms, US Federal Trade Commission
- Register of charities, Charity Commission for England and Wales
