LA wildfires Jan 8, 2025 @weatherchannel
Scams are rising in the wake of the Los Angeles fires, according to a warning on social media from the Pasadena Police Department – so experts have some tips on how to avoid becoming a victim.
There have been reports of people pretending to be fire victims, approaching shoppers in store checkout lines and asking if they’ll purchase items for them.
Kathy Stokes is director of fraud prevention programs with the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
“People will tell you that they’re in need, and could you buy them baby formula?” said Stokes. “They’ll take the baby formula to the next store, let’s say it’s a Target – then they’ll go to a different Target and return it.”
Lots of GoFundMe pages have popped up after the fires – but experts say the safest way to help is to go through a trusted, established charity.
Several websites will help you verify whether a charity is legitimate – including Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, or Give.org, which the Better Business Bureau runs.
There are also reports of people pretending to be from FEMA or insurance companies.
Some may offer to help speed up your claim – but then use your personal information to file a false claim or steal your identity.
Stokes said fake contractors may show up on your street with a truck and materials and offer to help you rebuild cheaply.
“If you’re in a desperate situation, and you may not think to check credentials or to try to get other companies to bid on the project, you may end up paying for something up front,” said Stokes, “and then they go away, or they do a shoddy job.”
Stokes said homeowners must also be wary of people offering pennies on the dollar for real estate in the wake of the blazes. Also, there are reports of fake real estate rental ads in Los Angeles County showing up online.
