LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – The Palisades and Eaton fires have destroyed more than 15,000 structures and damaged thousands more, but authorities say criminals are trying to take advantage of them. said. The City of Los Angeles Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging residents to remain vigilant against “fire chasers” and fraudulent charities.
According to the BBB, “fire chasers” are scammers who target fire victims and offer bogus services such as insurance claims, cleanup and rebuilding assistance. They often impersonate legitimate businesses or government agencies. Meanwhile, fraudulent charities take advantage of people who want to donate directly to relief efforts or fire victims.
BBB Los Angeles offers the following tips to avoid falling victim to these scams.
for wildfire victims
Resist high-pressure sales tactics
Scammers may appear out of the blue or offer “limited time” offers. Be sure to receive business cards and review company information such as vehicle markings, phone number, and license number. Don’t make hasty decisions.
Please do your research
Use BBB.org to find trustworthy companies and verify credentials with relevant government agencies, such as the California Contractor’s State Licensing Board. Ask friends and your insurance company for referrals.
spot a scammer
Be wary of anyone asking for money for FEMA applications or other government assistance. FEMA does not charge a fee to process disaster relief applications.
For those who want to help
Practice safe giving
After a disaster, scammers often create fake donation websites, social media campaigns, and crowdfunding pages that mimic legitimate relief efforts. They use emotional appeals to pressure people to donate immediately, sometimes impersonating well-known charities or individuals in need.
Check out our charity work
Always research the charity before donating. Scammers can create convincingly fake charity websites and social media pages. Check out charities through the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (Give.org), Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org), or FEMA’s Volunteer and Donate page (fema.gov).
donate directly
Avoid unsolicited requests for donations via social media or email. Donations should only be made through the charity’s official website.
use credit card
Credit cards provide additional protection against fraud. Don’t send cash or use payment apps like Venmo or CashApp for donations.
If you’ve been a victim of a scam, report it to BBB ScamTracker to help protect others.
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