Is this donation request from Heart Foundation a scam?
Scammers exploit people's generosity by posing as trusted charities like Heart Foundation, especially after disasters and during major appeals. A donation request, text or email that looks like it's from Heart Foundation can be genuine — but it can just as easily be a scam built to look identical. The good news: a few quick checks almost always tell a real Heart Foundation message from a fake.
Genuine Heart Foundation links only ever go to heartfoundation.org.au. Below is exactly what a real Heart Foundation message looks like, the scams currently circulating in its name, the red flags that give a fake away, and a real example to compare against. Got a message in front of you? Check it now for an instant verdict.
What a real Heart Foundation message looks like
Genuine messages from Heart Foundation only ever link to heartfoundation.org.au.
- Emails only come from addresses ending in @heartfoundation.org.au
- Donation requests direct you to heartfoundation.org.au rather than any other site
- The Heart Foundation never asks for credit-card details by return email
- Official appeals are sent from their verified marketing or donor-services addresses at heartfoundation.org.au
- The organisation uses its registered ABN on every genuine donation receipt
Crucially, Heart Foundation will never pressure you to donate instantly via gift cards, cryptocurrency or a transfer to a personal account — you can verify any charity on the ACNC register.
Common Heart Foundation scams
- Emails that copy the Heart Foundation logo and urge an urgent tax-deductible donation to an account that is not the charity’s
- Messages claiming to be from the Heart Foundation that include a link to a look-alike donation page
- Fake appeals sent after major news stories about heart health, pressuring recipients to give immediately
Red flags to watch for
- Any email that asks you to donate via a link or attachment instead of typing heartfoundation.org.au yourself
- Sender address that does not end in @heartfoundation.org.au
- Requests for bank details or payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency
- Urgent wording such as “donate in the next hour” or “match ends tonight”
- Spelling or design mistakes in the Heart Foundation logo or Australian address block
Scam text examples
Here's a real example of a scam message impersonating Heart Foundation, with the tell-tale red flags highlighted. Compare it against anything you've received.
Subject: Heart health match – double your gift today From: appeals@heart-foundation.org Dear supporter, our matched-giving campaign closes at midnight. Tap here to confirm your $50 donation: heartfoundation-secure-donate.net. Thank you for keeping Australian hearts beating.
What gives it away:
- Any email that asks you to donate via a link or attachment instead of typing heartfoundation.org.au yourself
- Sender address that does not end in @heartfoundation.org.au
- Requests for bank details or payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency
- Urgent wording such as “donate in the next hour” or “match ends tonight”
- Spelling or design mistakes in the Heart Foundation logo or Australian address block
Not sure about your message?
Paste the suspicious Heart Foundation text or email and get an instant scam verdict, free.
How to verify a message from Heart Foundation
- Donate at heartfoundation.org.au
- Call 13 11 12
Where to report a scam impersonating Heart Foundation
Received — or fell for — a message impersonating Heart Foundation? Report it. It helps authorities and carriers shut the campaign down for everyone who gets the next one.
- Scamwatch — Report the scam to the ACCC's national scam service.
- ReportCyber — Report cybercrime and financial loss to the police.
- ACMA — Report scam texts and spam SMS or calls.
- Forward to 7226 (SPAM) — Forward the scam SMS to short code 7226 so your carrier can block the source.
- IDCARE — Free identity and cyber support if your details were taken.
Frequently asked questions
I received an email asking for a donation to the Heart Foundation — is it real?
Only treat a donation request as genuine if it arrives from an @heartfoundation.org.au address and tells you to go directly to heartfoundation.org.au. If anything else is used, forward the message to report@scamwatch.gov.au.
Can the Heart Foundation send me a donation link by email?
The Heart Foundation may email you, but it will always direct you to type heartfoundation.org.au yourself; it will never send a clickable link in the email.
How do I safely donate to the Heart Foundation?
Visit heartfoundation.org.au in your browser or open the official Heart Foundation website from a bookmark and donate there.
What should I do if I already clicked a link in a Heart Foundation email?
Close the page, run a malware scan, and if you entered any card details contact your bank immediately. Report the email at cyber.gov.au or scamwatch.gov.au.
Related scam types
Scams impersonating Heart Foundation usually fit one of these patterns. Learn how each works:
Related brands
Other charity names scammers impersonate — check a message from one:
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice — always verify with Heart Foundation through an official channel.