Investigate Ad Fraud Harming Charities & Government Agencies

Millions of dollars meant to support vital causes and public services are being stolen — and it’s happening right under our noses.

Senator Mark Warner has sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), calling for a full investigation into alarming reports of ad fraud. His letter follows a bombshell investigation from Adalytics, which uncovered how fraudulent digital ad schemes are diverting funds from nonprofits, charities, and government agencies.

The scale of the damage is staggering. The research shows that thousands of advertisers have been affected — including major federal agencies like the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United States Postal Service (USPS). Taxpayer dollars intended for public services are instead lining the pockets of fraudsters.

Every dollar lost to ad fraud is a dollar stolen from nonprofit donors who wanted to help provide clean water, fight cancer, or feed hungry families. It’s a dollar taken from taxpayers whose hard-earned money was meant to fund veterans’ programs, disaster relief, and community health services.

Here’s how it works: corrupt ad networks and verification companies allow bots to generate fake views and clicks, tricking advertisers into thinking their ads are reaching real people. Instead of supporting vital public health campaigns, education initiatives, and charitable services, that money vanishes into fraudulent schemes.

This is not a victimless crime. It’s a direct attack on the people and organizations working to make our communities stronger. And it’s time for regulators to act.

The FTC and DOJ have the authority to investigate and stop these fraudulent schemes. By holding ad networks and verification companies accountable, they can protect taxpayer money and ensure that charitable donations are used for their intended purpose.

Senator Warner has sounded the alarm — now it’s up to us to demand action.

Add your name to call on the FTC and DOJ to investigate ad fraud now and protect our public and charitable resources.