Even in the best of times, scammers take advantage of generosity. But during the holidays, when community giving increases and emotions run high, they strike hardest.
A few years ago, a massive fraudulent tele funding operation was shut down after investigators discovered it had made 1.3 billion deceptive donation calls and collected over $110 million from trusting donors. (Federal Trade Commission)
Around the same time, researchers from Cornell University found that social media platforms like Facebook, X and Instagram were home to over 800 fake donation accounts, all pushing victims toward fraudulent fundraisers.
For schools, a single misstep in charitable giving can lead to more than just losing money, it can create confusion among families, hurt community trust and unintentionally associate your school with a scam.
Here’s how to vet fundraisers, spot red flags and keep your school community safe while giving this season.
How To Vet a Fundraiser Before Your School Donates
A legitimate fundraiser should clearly answer:
- Who is organizing this, and what is their connection to the student, family or community member?
- How exactly will the funds be used, and over what timeline?
- Who controls the withdrawals? Is there a transparent process to ensure funds reach the intended recipient?
- Do close contacts of the family (friends, teachers, relatives) publicly support the campaign?
If any of these answers are unclear, pause and verify.
Silence, vague responses or evasiveness are major red flags.
Red Flags That Often Signal Scams
If your school or PTA sees these signs, investigate first:
- Misleading, exaggerated or false information on the fundraiser page
- Funds not being used for the stated purpose in a reasonable timeline
- Impersonation of a student or parent, or copying someone else’s story
- Stories that feel overly polished, dramatic or emotionally manipulative
When you spot multiple warning signs, avoid donating and report the fundraiser.
Vetting Charities (Not Just Crowdfunds)
Even established organizations can have questionable practices. Before your school publicly supports or promotes a charity, look for:
- Transparent descriptions of programs and impact
- Clear financial breakdowns and annual reports
- Information on how much of each donation goes directly to programs
- Neutral or positive reviews (search the charity with keywords like “fraud,” “scam,” or “complaints”)
A lack of transparency or troubling online history should trigger caution.
Common Tactics Charity Scammers Use
Watch out for:
- Requests for donations viagift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency
- Websites missinghttps (secure connections)
- High-pressure tactics demanding immediate donations
- Claims that “you already pledged” or “your principal agreed” when no one remembers doing so
Scammers often build convincing websites and emotional stories — don’t assume a polished page means it’s safe.
Why This Matters for Schools
When a school gives to charity, whether through a PTA drive, staff fundraiser or schoolwide initiative, that generosity becomes part of the school’s public image.
Supporting a fraudulent fundraiser can:
- Create confusion or distrust among families
- Damage community credibility
- Put financial strain on already limited school resources
- Lead families to believe the school endorses unsafe giving practices
Even more importantly:
The same tricks used in fake donation scams are also used in phishing attacks, impersonation scams, fake invoice schemes and social-engineering attacks targeting schools.
Teaching your staff to spot fake fundraisers strengthens their ability to recognize other cyber risks as well.
How To Protect Your School (And Your Community)
These steps keep your giving safe and transparent:
1. Create a School Donation Policy
Clarify how fundraisers are approved, what platforms your school will use and what verification steps are required.
2. Raise Staff Awareness
Make sure teachers, office staff and administrators know how to check for fake fundraisers, especially before sharing anything with families.
3. Use Trusted Channels Only
Donate through verified charity websites or platforms recommended by the school/district. Avoid links in random social media posts or e-mails.
4. Verify Publicly Promoted Charities
If your school is sharing a fundraising link with families, confirm the organization’s legitimacy first.
5. Follow Up After Donating
Check that donations are being used as promised. Many legitimate charities provide impact reports or public updates.
Keep Your School’s Holiday Giving Generous — Not Risky
The holidays should be a time of compassion and community, not regret. Smart checks and simple policies help protect your school, your staff and the families you serve.
Want to ensure your staff can spot fake fundraisers, phishing e-mails and fraudulent payment requests?
Book your free discovery calls here.
Because the best gift your school can give this season is trust and protection that can’t be taken advantage of.
