The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have left many communities in ruins, prompting individuals and groups to reach out and donate supplies to those affected. However, amidst the outpouring of support, there have been instances of looting and fraudulent activities, exploiting the goodwill of the public through fake donations and scams.
For eight consecutive days, the wildfires in Los Angeles have destroyed the homes of thousands of people. Local governments in the affected areas have set up temporary shelters and evacuation centers within the city, or activated emergency operation centers to provide necessary resources and assistance to the residents.
Just as everyone was rallying together to assist the victims in overcoming the challenges, fraudulent donation schemes emerged once again.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated at a press conference last Saturday, “We have many kind-hearted individuals who want to help others, donate, and support those affected by disasters. But we also see scammers taking advantage of this kindness and generosity.” In some cases, fraud organizations even use misleading names to deceive the public.
Therefore, he urged the public to be vigilant against fraud organizations falsely claiming to be charities, non-profit organizations, or providing aid to fire victims. To avoid falling victim to scams, in addition to being cautious of crowdfunding on social media, individuals should investigate the background of charitable organizations before donating, or consider donating directly to reputable organizations.
Another crucial point is for individuals to protect their personal information at all times: do not provide your social security number or other confidential information during charitable donations, and do not disclose credit card information to unfamiliar organizations.
Following the wildfires, federal agencies have opened grant and loan applications for disaster victims and affected businesses.
For example, residents in the disaster area can apply for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): a household can receive up to $770 in emergency supply funds, and can also apply for funds for medical expenses, home repairs, and temporary housing costs. Disaster victims can also apply for low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
However, before applying, disaster victims must first file property claims with their insurance companies. Only losses that insurance companies cannot cover can be sought for assistance from the federal government.
As individuals research how to apply for assistance, scammers have begun to deceive people under the pretext of “helping disaster victims file for compensation”: scammers impersonate government or insurance agencies, claiming that by providing personal information such as social security and banking details, they can quickly help victims apply for compensation or assistance.
Law enforcement agencies remind the public that the government and legitimate organizations will never proactively ask individuals for such sensitive personal information. To apply for assistance, always refer to official government websites.
Authorities have previously issued multiple warnings: do not provide any personal information over the phone, do not use the contact information provided by the caller for verification; do not succumb to pressure from threatening callers, hang up and verify the information provided; do not transfer money to anyone you do not know or trust, or provide bank account and credit card information to strangers.