Some scammers take advantage of the public’s generosity. They especially take advantage of tragedies and disasters. How to Report Charity Scams Your state consumer protection office accepts and investigates scam complaints. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC does not resolve individual matters. But it does track charity fraud claims and sues companies on the behalf of consumers. Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud, if the fraud is because of a natural disaster. How to Protect Yourself From Charity Scams Follow these tips to detect common charity scam tactics: Do Check out the charity with your state consumer protection office or the Better Business Bureau. Verify the name. Fake charities often choose names that are close to well established charities.  Use the IRS’s database of 501(c)3 organizations to find out if an organization is a registered nonprofit organization. Don’t Don’t give in to high pressure tactics such as urging you to donate immediately. Don’t send cash. Pay with a check or credit card.