Los Angeles County continues to be ravaged by wildfires, leaving many people homeless and over 100,000 residents forced to evacuate. California Attorney General Rob Bonta cautioned the public during a press conference on Saturday (January 11th) to be vigilant against scams and warned that price gouging during this time is a criminal offense.
Bonta warned people to watch out for post-fire fraud schemes, including scams involving fake charities.
“We have seen scammers taking advantage of these opportunities to deceive vulnerable, kind-hearted but unsuspecting disaster victims,” Bonta pointed out, noting that some scams target the elderly and non-English-speaking immigrants, even using names very similar to legitimate charity organizations to deceive.
He mentioned several types of fraudulent activities, including:
1. Contractor scams: Individuals posing as contractors requesting disaster victims to pay a deposit to “reserve a spot,” but with no actual work being done;
2. Insurance scams: Scammers impersonating insurance adjusters;
3. Government or relief organization scams: Impersonating officials or rescue representatives and requesting fees for actual free services.
To avoid being scammed, the public can follow the following guidelines:
1. Verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a contractor, insurance adjuster, or charity organization;
2. Be cautious of requests for upfront payments;
3. Confirm the authenticity of organizations through official channels, such as registered lists on the Department of Justice or Attorney General’s website;
4. Regularly monitor bank accounts to prevent fraud;
5. Report fraudulent activities immediately to local law enforcement or the Attorney General’s office.
Currently, wildfires continue to burn in multiple areas of Los Angeles County, with over 100,000 residents already evacuated. Bonta stated that all California families, including immigrant families, should feel safe and can confidently go to evacuation shelters without worrying about their immigrant status.
“I want to remind the immigrant community that, regardless of their immigration status, they can receive assistance in shelters,” Bonta said, noting that the Attorney General’s office has issued guidance documents and “shelter policy templates” to ensure the rights of immigrants and their families are protected.
Bonta also warned those attempting to price gouge during disasters, stating that such behavior is illegal and will result in fines and imprisonment. He emphasized that price gouging during the current state of emergency in Ventura and Los Angeles counties is considered a crime, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $10,000 fine.
California law prohibits businesses from raising prices of goods or services by more than 10% before the state of emergency is declared. If a product is sold after the state of emergency is declared, its price cannot exceed 50% of the cost.
This regulation applies to food, emergency supplies, building materials, medical supplies, housing, transportation services, fuel, reconstruction services, and hotel accommodations within the restricted range. Exceptions are made for situations where labor, goods, or material costs have increased.
Bonta urged the public to report any instances of price gouging to local officials or the Attorney General’s office immediately if discovered.