Australian Red Cross scam message examples
Example scam messages
Australian Red Cross URGENT FLOOD APPEAL: Families in northern NSW have lost everything overnight. Donate before midnight at redcross-flood-appeal[.]example and your gift will be doubled. Every minute counts.
What gives it away:
- The link is not redcross.org.au; Red Cross's security page says to make online donations to its appeals only on its own website, so type redcross.org.au yourself and look for the appeal there
- Charities can text supporters, so the channel isn't the tell; a text pushing you to a link to donate is, because you can find any real appeal yourself on redcross.org.au
- The midnight deadline and 'gift doubled' hook are manufactured urgency meant to stop you checking; Scamwatch lists being put under pressure as a warning sign
A social media ad appearing days after a cyclone links to a polished donation page at redcross-disaster-relief[.]example, complete with the real logo and emotional photos. It accepts card payments and also offers a 'faster' option: direct bank transfer to an individual's account.
What gives it away:
- The address bar does not show redcross.org.au, and copying a logo and photos takes seconds, so look the appeal up yourself on redcross.org.au rather than trusting how a page looks
- Scamwatch lists wanting a cheque made out to the collector rather than the charity as a warning sign, and a transfer to an individual's personal account is the same move
- Scamwatch says fraudulent charity approaches often respond to real disasters, which is when donors are most emotional and least likely to double-check
A caller says they are collecting for an Australian Red Cross bushfire appeal and asks you to make a bank transfer or read out your card number on the spot. When you ask to verify, they insist the appeal closes today and there is no time.
What gives it away:
- Refusing to let you verify is the tell; Red Cross's advice for a call you're not convinced about is to ask the name of the agency calling, then hang up and contact Red Cross on 1800 733 276
- You can check any appeal yourself on redcross.org.au; an appeal you can only reach by phone, under pressure, is one to verify before you pay
- Pressure to pay on the spot, especially by bank transfer, is a classic donation-scam move; Scamwatch lists being put under pressure as a warning sign
How to check a message you've received
Never tap a link in an unexpected message. Instead, paste the text into the free message checker for an instant verdict, or check a suspicious link with the link & website checker. To verify directly, contact Australian Red Cross through its official app or the number on its real website — never the details in the message itself.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Australian Red Cross message real or a scam?
The messages on this page are defanged examples of Australian Red Cross impersonation scams — illustrations modelled on common scam patterns, not genuine Australian Red Cross messages. To judge a specific message you've received, paste it into the free Scam Scanner checker for an instant verdict, or verify it directly through Australian Red Cross's official app or website.
How can I tell a fake Australian Red Cross message from a genuine one?
Red Cross says on its security page to make online donations to its appeals only on its own website, redcross.org.au, so type the address yourself rather than following a link. The examples below break down the tells that give a fake away — unexpected links, urgency, and requests for payment or details. If anything asks you to click a link or hand over information, treat it as suspicious until you've verified it independently.
What should I do if I already clicked a link or paid?
Act quickly: contact your bank, then follow the step-by-step recovery guide at /what-to-do. It walks you through who to contact — your bank, IDCARE and the right reporting channel — in the order that matters most.