In any situation where emotions are high and money is changing hands, you can expect to find scammers lurking around. Sadly, amid the devastation caused by the Southern California wildfires, scams are quickly starting to explode.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned of the growing issue of scams targeting people seeking to donate to fire relief efforts at a press conference Saturday. The state’s Better Business Bureau also stepped in, offering tips on what to look for in potential scams.
“We have big-hearted people who want to help, want to donate, want to support the victims,” Bonta said. “We also see fraudsters who are taking advantage of that kindness and that generosity and scamming and deceiving those individuals.”
Fires near Los Angeles have been raging since Jan. 7, including the Eaton Fire and the Pacific Palisades Fire, the two largest and most destructive blazes. Over 200,000 people have been evacuated so far, with over 12,000 structures believed to have been destroyed and damage costs estimated at over $250 billion. With the level of aid and financial assistance now pouring into the region, an ideal environment has been created for fraudsters to run wild.
Read on for all the details you need to protect yourself from these scams. For more wildfire coverage, see how victims can avoid illegal rent increases and find out how to navigate wildfire water advisories.
What kind of scams are taking advantage of LA fire victims?
During his press conference, Bonta mentioned that scams have targeted people trying to donate money or supplies to fire victims, creating fake organizations to trick those good Samaritans — often designed to trick people with official names. .
Who are these scammers targeting the most?
The scams have particularly targeted the elderly, immigrants and individuals who do not speak English, Bonta said. These are three groups of people who are often targeted by scams in general. But anyone can be accepted if they don’t pay attention.
What are the main signs of a scam?
Here too, the signs to watch out for are common to all types of scams. Scammers, the California BBB explained to local outlet KTLA, often engage in “high-pressure” sales tactics, pushing people to act quickly and hastily, which can lead to poor decision-making. Be on the lookout for any potential charities that seem like they want you to give as soon as possible.
Fraudsters are also more likely to ask for cash transactions, or some other type of payment that makes it difficult or impossible for you to track transactions. When possible, you should only make donations through secure platforms and with credit cards so that payments can be tracked in case of fraud.
Are GoFundMe charities safe from scams?
GoFundMe said it has increased its efforts to prevent fraud on its site. The popular fundraising platform is working to verify all fire-related pages, and for good measure has collected all verified ones on a separate page. The company also called out a number of popular organizations that people can give to without fear of scams if they want to help fire relief efforts, including World Central Kitchen, Pasadena Humane and Baby2Baby.
How to verify if a charity is real?
Speaking about fire hoaxes, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell suggested using online tools like Charity Navigator or the California BBB website to verify the charity you’re considering giving to. Another solid option is the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool.
For more, find out how an app has helped people track fire conditions.
