Wildfire Scams: Who’s Running Them and How to Spot Them

No matter how ideas are abounding and money is changing hands, you can expect to find scammers around. Sadly, among the destruction caused by Southern California wildfiresFraud is on the rise.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned of a growing problem of corruption targeting people who want to donate to the fire service. at a press conference on Saturday. The Better Business Bureau has also stepped in, offering advice on what to look for in potential scams.

“We have big-hearted people who want to help, who want to give, who want to help those affected,” Bonta said. “We’re also seeing criminals taking advantage of that good fortune and generosity and defrauding those people.”

A wildfire near Los Angeles has been burning since Jan. 7, including the Eaton Fire and the Pacific Palisades Fire, the largest and most destructive fires. More than 200,000 people have been displaced so far, and more than 12,000 homes are believed to have been damaged and the cost of damages is estimated to exceed $250 billion. It is the level of support and money now pour into the area, it created a good place for artists to run.

Read on for all the details you need to protect yourself from these scams. For more information on wildfires, see how victims can avoid illegal rent increases and get how to navigate fire water guidelines.

What kind of scam is taking advantage of the LA wildfire victims?

In his press conference, Bonta said that scams have been targeting people who want to donate money or goods to people affected by wildfires, and setting up fake organizations to rob these good Samaritans – often designed to deceive people with good names.

Who are these thieves targeting?

The scam has targeted the elderly, immigrants and people who don’t speak English, Bonta said. These are the three groups of people who are often exposed to all the deception. But anyone can be taken if they are not paying attention.

What are the main signs of fraud?

Again, the signs to look for are common to all types of scams. Scammers, California BBB reported to KTLA therethey often engage in “high pressure” sales, forcing people to act quickly and impulsively, which can lead to poor decision making. Look for any potential charities that seem to want you to donate as soon as possible.

Hackers may also ask you to sell money, or any other type of payment that makes it difficult or impossible for you to follow through on your transactions. If 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 slander?

GoFundMe says it has increased its efforts to prevent fraud on its website. The popular fundraising platform is working to verify all sites related to wildfires, and in fairness they have gathered all the verified ones. on a separate page. The company also gave a shout-out to many popular charities that people can donate to without fear of fraud if they want to support firefighting efforts, including World Central Kitchen, Pasadena Humane and Baby2Baby.

How do you determine if charity is real?

Speaking about wildfire aid scams, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said they should use online resources. such as Charity Navigator or California BBB website verify the charity you are considering donating to. Another hard way is The IRS Tax Exemption Search Tool.

For more information, find out how the program has helped people manage fire incidents.