⚡ Quick Answer: How to Report a Fake Charity
- Immediate Action / Statutory Deadline: If you donated funds to a fraudulent non-profit, contact your bank or credit card issuer within 60 days to initiate a chargeback under the Fair Credit Billing Act (15 U.S.C. § 1666). File a formal complaint immediately with the FTC and IRS.
- Primary Regulatory Enforcement Agencies: IRS Exempt Organizations Division (IRS Form 13909), State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau (NASCO), and Federal Trade Commission (FTC ReportFraud.ftc.gov).
- Statutory / Legal Remedies: State civil enforcement, revocation of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, asset freezing, and criminal prosecution for wire and mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341/1343.
Every legitimate non-profit has a unique 9-digit Employer Identification Number (EIN). Always look up the organization on the free IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) database at apps.irs.gov/app/eos/. If an entity cannot provide an EIN or claims donations are tax-deductible when they are not registered, it is operating an illegal charity scam.
If you received an unsolicited email or letter claiming a major philanthropist, foundation, or overseas trust wants to donate funds to you or your organization, be aware that advance-fee charity schemes are widespread. For forensic scam indicators, fake payment alerts, and digital fraud prevention checklists, review the full advisory on our sister publication: Lottery, Inheritance & Fake Charity Donation Fraud Warning Signs →
Fake Charity Classification: Common Donation Scam Tactics
Classify the specific charity fraud scheme to provide actionable intel to state regulators.
Using names confusingly similar to reputable charities (e.g., “American Cancer Survivors Fund” instead of American Cancer Society) to trick donors.
Setting up fake GoFundMe campaigns or pop-up websites immediately following a wildfire, hurricane, or mass shooting to pocket donations.
For-profit telemarketing boiler rooms soliciting donations for police or veterans where 90%+ goes to company overhead and under 5% to the cause.
Where to Report: Regulatory & Tax Enforcement Matrix
Compare federal tax audits, state charity registration enforcement, and public donation watchdogs.
- Channel: IRS Form 13909 (Mail / Email to
eoclass@irs.gov). - Action: Audits Form 990 filings; revokes 501(c)(3) tax exemption.
- Outcome: Imposes intermediate sanctions and excise taxes on leaders.
- Channel: State Charity Registry / Consumer Division.
- Action: Subpoenas fundraising contracts; dissolves sham corporations.
- Outcome: Secures court orders freezing charity bank accounts.
- Channels:
ReportFraud.ftc.gov/ Charity Navigator / BBB Wise Giving. - Action: Issues national consumer fraud alerts and donor warnings.
- Outcome: Shuts down multi-state telemarketing fundraising syndicates.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reporting a Fake Charity
Follow these 5 steps to verify tax-exempt status, preserve fundraising solicitation proof, and file official complaints.
Step 1: Checking the IRS TEOS Database & Form 990
Verify whether the entity is legally authorized to solicit tax-deductible donations:
- Go to apps.irs.gov/app/eos/ and search the exact non-profit name.
- Confirm their Tax-Exempt Status (501(c)(3) status) and check whether their exemption has been revoked for failure to file Form 990.
- Review their latest IRS Form 990 Tax Return on
Candid / GuideStarorProPublica Non-Profit Explorerto see how much money actually goes to program services vs. executive compensation.
Step 2: Gathering Solicitation Letters & Payment Proof
Document the deceptive fundraising pitch:
- Save direct-mail pledge cards, donation receipts, and email appeals claiming tax-exempt deductions.
- Note the exact claims made by solicitors (e.g., claiming 100% of proceeds buy bulletproof vests for local police).
- Keep canceled checks or credit card statements showing the processing merchant name.
Step 3: Filing IRS Form 13909 (Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint)
Trigger a federal IRS examination and tax-exemption revocation:
- Download IRS Form 13909 (Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint / Referral) from
irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13909.pdf. - Complete the organization details, check the violation boxes (“Private Benefit / Inurement”, “Deceptive Fundraising”, “Operating for Non-Exempt Purpose”), and attach evidence.
- Email the completed form to
eoclass@irs.govor mail to: IRS EO Classification, Mail Stop 4988, 1100 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75242.
Step 4: Filing with Your State Charities Bureau
State regulators have direct authority to shut down deceptive solicitations:
- Submit a complaint to your State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau (or Secretary of State Charity Licensing Division).
- State AGs audit solicitor contracts, file civil lawsuits to seize assets, and permanently ban directors from operating charities.
Step 5: Reporting Fraudulent Crowdfunding (GoFundMe Giving Guarantee)
If the scam occurred on an online fundraising platform:
- Click the “Report Fundraiser” link on the GoFundMe or Kickstarter campaign page.
- Under the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee, donors who contributed to fraudulent or misrepresented campaigns receive 100% full refunds directly back to their cards.
Evidence Preparation Checklist & Submission Roadmap
Look up non-profit EIN on apps.irs.gov/app/eos to verify active 501(c)(3) tax status.
Submit Form 13909 referral packet to eoclass@irs.gov to initiate federal tax audit.
Submit complaint to State Charities Bureau to subpoena contracts and freeze accounts.
Claim GoFundMe Giving Guarantee refunds or dispute deceptive credit card charges.
Formal Fraudulent Charity & Sham Non-Profit Complaint Template
When drafting a formal referral letter to your State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau or the IRS, use this template:
TO: State Attorney General – Charities Bureau / IRS Exempt Organizations Classification
DATE: [Enter Date]
RE: Complaint Regarding Fraudulent Charitable Solicitation & Deceptive Practices
Complainant Name: [Your Full Name] | Phone: [Your Phone] | Email: [Your Email]
Dear Charitable Enforcement Bureau,
I am writing to report deceptive and fraudulent fundraising solicitations conducted by the organization referenced below.
1. Subject Organization Information:
– Organization Name: [e.g., ‘National Fallen Heroes Support Fund’]
– EIN / Tax ID: [If provided, or ‘Refused to Provide / Not Found on IRS TEOS’]
– Solicitation Address / Website: [Website URL, Physical Address, or Calling Number]
2. Description of Fraudulent Misrepresentations:
– [e.g., ‘Solicitor claimed 100% of donations provide financial grants to local firefighter families, but public Form 990 reveals 92% is paid to a commercial telemarketing firm’]
– [e.g., ‘Falsely claimed donations are 501(c)(3) tax-deductible when their IRS status was revoked in 2023’]
3. Attached Evidence:
Attached are solicitation letters, pledge receipts, and IRS TEOS search results confirming non-compliance.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature & Full Name]
Common Myths vs. Legal Realities About Charities
Fact: Only donations to verified 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. 501(c)(4) advocacy groups and GoFundMe campaigns are not.
Every legitimate charity must file IRS Form 990 annually, disclosing executive salaries, revenues, and overhead spending.
Fact: Local police and fire departments do not call citizens asking for cash or credit card donations over the phone.
Under the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee, donors who report fraudulent campaigns receive 100% of their money back.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know what percentage of my donation actually goes to the charitable cause?
Check the charity on Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), GuideStar (candid.org), or BBB Wise Giving Alliance (give.org). Look for charities spending at least 75% of their budget on program services and under 25% on fundraising and administrative overhead.
What should I do if a charity refuses to provide their EIN number?
Never donate to an organization that refuses to provide its 9-digit EIN. Legitimate non-profits provide their EIN transparently on all marketing materials and websites.
Can I get a refund if I donated to a fake charity using a credit card?
Yes. Contact your credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge under the Fair Credit Billing Act on the grounds of fraudulent misrepresentation and lack of authorization.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) — IRS TEOS Database
- National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO): State Charity Offices — NASCOnet.org
- Charity Navigator: Search and Evaluate Legitimate Charities — CharityNavigator.org
Before You Go: Citizen Protection Protocol
Protecting yourself against unlawful practices requires swift action, methodical documentation, and strict adherence to statutory deadlines. Preserve all original agreements, maintain contemporaneous call notes, and send formal correspondence via certified mail with return receipt requested.
⚖️ Facing Financial Damages or Statutory Violations Under $25,000?
Look up your state small claims court limits, statutory damages remedies, and official regulatory agencies.
HowToReport.org is an independent educational site — not a government agency. We link to official .gov and .org sources, but we cannot file a complaint for you or give legal advice. Read our full Legal Disclaimer & Safe Harbor →
Damages Under ,000? Check Your State Small Claims Limit
If administrative complaints fail to recover your financial losses, you can sue in local small claims court without expensive attorney fees. Select your state below for instant dollar limits and statutory deadlines:
Related Statutory Reporting Guides & Citizen Protections
Official step-by-step reporting protocols in this regulatory category.
What happens next
- Most agencies send an acknowledgment or reference number — save it with your copies.
- Investigations vary by agency; complex cases can take weeks or months.
- If you do not hear back within the timeframe listed on the agency site, follow up in writing.
- Keep reporting to additional agencies if your issue crosses categories (for example, fraud plus billing).
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