This growing trend of online impersonation scams has led to significant financial losses for genuine charities. Scammers create near-identical Venmo accounts to mimic the legitimate handles of nonprofits, making it extremely difficult for donors to detect the fraud. Recent cases, such as the one involving Miles Perret Cancer Services in Louisiana and Final Victory Animal Rescue in South Carolina, highlight the scale and severity of this problem. The scams often exploit the emotional urgency of crises, such as natural disasters or social movements, to manipulate donors into sending money to fake accounts, which then vanish after the donations are received.
One such fraudulent Venmo account impersonating Miles Perret Cancer Services was discovered by the organization’s executive director, Timothy Rinaldi, who reported the account to Venmo over 24 hours ago. Despite his efforts, the platform did not provide any meaningful assistance, responding only with generic FAQs and legal disclaimers. This lack of responsive support has frustrated many charities that rely on these platforms to collect donations. In some cases, the fraudulent accounts remain active, and the exact amount of money lost is still unknown.
These scams are not limited to charitable causes—scammers are also targeting individuals and businesses through various platforms. The FBI has recently warned of scammers using fake hospitals and police departments to defraud victims. Similarly, fake Venmo accounts have been linked to other scams, including impersonation of government agencies or fake fundraising campaigns during public emergencies. These tactics often rely on stolen personal data obtained from data broker sites, which make it easier for scammers to create convincing impersonations.
As the use of payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App continues to rise, so does the risk of fraud. While these platforms offer convenience, their regulatory environment is less strict compared to traditional banks. Venmo’s user agreements often absolve the company from liability for mistaken or unauthorized payments unless there is clear evidence of account compromise. This has led to criticism that peer-to-peer platforms need to take greater responsibility for fraud prevention and user protection. Experts and charities are calling for stronger security measures, including better verification protocols, improved response times, and clearer liability frameworks to safeguard both donors and legitimate charities.
To protect against these scams, experts recommend several proactive steps. Donors should always access payment apps through official channels, use strong, unique passwords for each app, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid sharing personal or financial information with unknown parties. Additionally, personal data removal services can help reduce the risk of scammers using stolen information to create fake accounts. For those who do fall victim to these scams, linking accounts to credit cards rather than debit cards can provide additional consumer protection.
Despite these measures, the problem remains persistent, and victims of fraud often find themselves without support or recourse from the platforms they rely on. This growing issue has sparked discussions about the broader responsibility of tech companies and payment platforms in safeguarding user security and preventing fraudulent activities. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, addressing these challenges will be crucial in ensuring that charitable donations are used for their intended purpose without being exploited by malicious actors.