To combat online fraud, especially in the context of fundraising in emergencies, Public Interest Registry (PIR) has partnered with the American Red Cross, a domain registration and management service for the .org top-level domain.



The aim of this collaboration is to increase internet safety and enhance public trust in charitable causes that accept online donations.

During times of disaster, fraudulent campaigns that misuse the name of the Red Cross have been a serious issue. Malicious actors misdirect funds intended for humanitarian organizations, taking advantage of goodwill from potential donors. To rectify this, PIR and the Red Cross will use a "Trusted Notifier" system that identifies and sanctions fraudulent domains, ensuring that donations reach the intended beneficiaries.

Under the Trusted Notifier arrangement, the Red Cross will notify PIR of any fraudulent activities involving PIR-operated domains. PIR will then investigate and hold confirmed fraudulent domains accountable by enforcing its Anti-Abuse Policy.

This partnership signifies PIR's first Trusted Notifier relationship with a major humanitarian organization like the American Red Cross. It builds on existing partnerships between PIR and the Internet Watch Foundation and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent child sеxual abuse material and the illegal online distribution of opioids and narcotics.

PIR makes it clear that this initiative does not aim to curb freedom of speech, satire, or criticism of the Red Cross. Instead, it focuses on domain names that engage in fraudulent activities. Additionally, PIR guarantees due process for registrants, offering an Anti-Abuse Appeals Process to challenge any decisions made under its Anti-Abuse Policy.

PIR encourages other domain registry operators to establish similar relationships with the Red Cross or other organizations to enhance online safety further. The objective is to instill confidence in online donors that their donations will reach the intended organizations.

Cybercriminals often exploit the credibility associated with .org domains to perpetrate scams and trick unsuspecting users. These fraudulent activities can manifest in various forms, including phishing websites that impersonate legitimate nonprofit organizations, fake charity campaigns aimed at siphoning off donations, and the distribution of malware under the guise of serving a charitable cause.

The implications of these deceptive practices extend beyond monetary losses, as they also erode the trust and confidence of internet users in the authenticity of .org websites. Moreover, the tarnishing of the reputation of genuine nonprofit organizations can have far-reaching consequences, undermining their ability to effectively carry out their missions and harming the communities they serve.

To address this issue, a multi-faceted approach is required, involving collaboration between domain registrars, cybersecurity professionals, law enforcement agencies, and the broader internet community. This encompasses the implementation of robust security measures for .org domains, proactive monitoring and takedown of fraudulent websites, and the dissemination of educational resources to empower users in identifying and reporting suspicious online activities.