Canonical URL: https://giftcard.news/fraud-security/mastercard-issues-guidance-on-spotting-scams-during-a-crisis-ec8fb1dde580/ --- description: The company's guidance addresses fraudulent donation appeals and impersonation after disasters. title: Mastercard warns of gift card requests in disaster relief scams image: https://giftcard.news/images/social/v1/mastercard-warns-gift-card-requests-disaster-relief-scams-fe9e04920d4cfbb768a5092981191c99.jpg --- 1. [Home](https://giftcard.news/) 2. [Fraud & Security](https://giftcard.news/fraud-security/) 3. Mastercard warns of gift card requests in disaster relief scams [Fraud & Security](https://giftcard.news/fraud-security/) News # Mastercard warns of gift card requests in disaster relief scams The company's guidance addresses fraudulent donation appeals and impersonation after disasters. By [Suzie Elis](https://giftcard.news/author/suzie-elis/) Published: January 17, 2025 at 12:00 AM 1 min read Share [ ](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Ffraud-security%2Fmastercard-issues-guidance-on-spotting-scams-during-a-crisis-ec8fb1dde580%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dx%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial&text=Mastercard%20warns%20of%20gift%20card%20requests%20in%20disaster%20relief%20scams "X") [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Ffraud-security%2Fmastercard-issues-guidance-on-spotting-scams-during-a-crisis-ec8fb1dde580%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dlinkedin%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial "LinkedIn") [ ](https://wa.me/?text=Mastercard%20warns%20of%20gift%20card%20requests%20in%20disaster%20relief%20scams%20https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Ffraud-security%2Fmastercard-issues-guidance-on-spotting-scams-during-a-crisis-ec8fb1dde580%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dwhatsapp%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial "WhatsApp") ![Source illustration accompanying Mastercard warns of gift card requests in disaster relief scams](https://giftcard.news/images/variants/v1/mastercard-warns-gift-card-requests-disaster-relief-scams-source-illustration-accompanying-w1280.webp) Photo: Source: newsroom.mastercard.com [Mastercard](https://giftcard.news/company/mastercard/) warned that disaster survivors and people trying to help could become targets for fraud. Guidance published on January 17, 2025 described criminals impersonating government representatives, repair workers, utilities and charitable organizations. [Ranjita Iyer](https://giftcard.news/person/ranjita-iyer/), the company's North America services executive, urged prospective donors to check an organization's identity and contact details. She also cautioned against unexpected links and messages demanding immediate payment or personal information. Requests for donations through gift cards, cash or wire transfers were highlighted as warning signs. Mastercard encouraged people to visit an organization's website directly rather than follow unsolicited messages, making independent verification part of the donation process. The company additionally recommended monitoring account activity and reporting suspicious transactions to financial institutions or consumer-protection authorities. Its message focused on preserving the ability to help while recognizing that urgency and emotional pressure can be exploited by fraudulent fundraising appeals. ## Sources and documents ExpandCollapse * [Mastercard warns of gift card requests in disaster relief scams](https://newsroom.mastercard.com/news/perspectives/2025/5-tips-for-spotting-scams-during-a-crisis/?utm%5Fsource=giftcard.news) — newsroom.mastercard.com ## In this article ### Companies * [Mastercard](https://giftcard.news/company/mastercard/) ### People * [Ranjita Iyer](https://giftcard.news/person/ranjita-iyer/) Share [ ](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Ffraud-security%2Fmastercard-issues-guidance-on-spotting-scams-during-a-crisis-ec8fb1dde580%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dx%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial&text=Mastercard%20warns%20of%20gift%20card%20requests%20in%20disaster%20relief%20scams "X") [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Ffraud-security%2Fmastercard-issues-guidance-on-spotting-scams-during-a-crisis-ec8fb1dde580%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dlinkedin%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial "LinkedIn") [ ](https://wa.me/?text=Mastercard%20warns%20of%20gift%20card%20requests%20in%20disaster%20relief%20scams%20https%3A%2F%2Fgiftcard.news%2Ffraud-security%2Fmastercard-issues-guidance-on-spotting-scams-during-a-crisis-ec8fb1dde580%2F%3Futm%5Fsource%3Dwhatsapp%26utm%5Fmedium%3Dsocial "WhatsApp") ![Portrait of Suzie Elis](https://giftcard.news/images/variants/v1/suzie-elis-editorial-portrait-w320.webp) About the author ## [Suzie Elis](https://giftcard.news/author/suzie-elis/) Journalist — Gift Cards & Digital Gifting Suzie Elis covers gift card products, digital gifting and distribution for Gift Card News. From reading to building ## Your next move in gift cards. Tell us what you’re building. We’ll help you explore suitable providers. 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