Fake accounts, real risk: Why South Africans are being warned about Gift of the Givers scams

A trusted name becomes a target

In South Africa, few humanitarian organisations carry the weight and public trust of Gift of the Givers. For decades, the organisation has been first on the ground during disasters, from floods and fires to food shortages and health crises.

That’s precisely why the latest warning from the organisation has struck a nerve.

Gift of the Givers has confirmed that fraudulent social media accounts impersonating the organisation are circulating online, prompting concern among supporters and ordinary South Africans who donate, volunteer or follow their work.

What the fake accounts are doing

According to the organisation, the impersonating accounts are designed to look legitimate while doing serious harm.

“These accounts may solicit donations, request personal information, or mislead followers by claiming to support our humanitarian work,” Gift of the Givers said in a public statement.

Crucially, the organisation stressed that no legitimate Gift of the Givers representative will ever contact individuals directly on social media to ask for money, banking details, personal information or assistance.

That line alone has set off alarm bells for many South Africans who are used to engaging with causes through WhatsApp, Facebook and X.

How to spot the real accounts

Gift of the Givers has urged the public to slow down, double-check and verify before engaging.

Official accounts carry verification badges and are linked directly through the organisation’s website. Any account that bypasses these channels, sends unsolicited messages or pressures users to act quickly should be treated as suspicious.

The organisation advised users to avoid responding to these messages entirely, as engagement alone can expose personal information and open the door to fraud.

For those who come across fake accounts, the advice is clear: report them to the platform immediately and alert Gift of the Givers through official channels. Donations, they say, should only ever be made via their official website.

Why this goes beyond financial scams

While the immediate risk is financial and personal, the damage runs deeper.

Fake accounts don’t just exploit donors, they threaten the credibility of humanitarian work itself. In a country where poverty, disasters and inequality are daily realities, trust in aid organisations is essential.

Gift of the Givers made it clear that protecting that trust is critical to ensuring help reaches those who truly need it.

A sensitive backdrop of online criticism

The impersonation issue is unfolding against a broader and more complex online environment.

Gift of the Givers has previously found itself dragged into online controversies unrelated to fraud. In December 2025, the Embassy of Israel in South Africa posted a statement on X accusing the organisation of attempting to influence South Africa’s religious identity through humanitarian aid, a claim that sparked strong reactions online.

The organisation has not linked that post to the fake accounts, but the timing has led some South Africans to question whether impersonation efforts are part of a broader attempt to discredit the group.

Public reaction: concern, anger and loyalty

On social media, many South Africans have expressed frustration that scammers are exploiting one of the country’s most respected charities.

Supporters have rallied behind Gift of the Givers, urging friends and family to stay vigilant and report suspicious accounts. Others have called on social media platforms to act faster when trusted organisations are impersonated.

What stands out most is the instinctive defence of the organisation, a sign of the deep goodwill it has built over years of visible, on-the-ground work.

Staying vigilant in a digital age

As scams become more sophisticated, even the most trusted names are no longer immune. Gift of the Givers’ warning is a reminder that generosity should always be paired with caution.

For South Africans, the message is simple but important: verify before you give, question unexpected messages, and stick to official channels.

In doing so, the public not only protects themselves, they help ensure that real aid, from real organisations, continues to reach those who depend on it most.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com