Following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, the police have issued a community alert warning residents about scammers who are targeting vulnerable individuals and families. These scammers are taking advantage of people's distress in the aftermath of the fires.
The police have identified several tactics used by these scammers, including fake job offers on social media claiming to be from the government and requesting personal information such as bank details. They are also pretending to be local, county, or federal employees and asking for payments. In addition, scammers are making unsolicited phone calls asking for donations for fire recovery or offering assistance to victims, sometimes impersonating FEMA or insurance agents.
Residents are advised to verify the authenticity of any callers or individuals by hanging up and calling back the agency through their official number. It is also recommended to check job offers directly on the agency's official website to ensure legitimacy. Legitimate organizations will not ask for payment using unusual platforms like cryptocurrency.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has urged people to be cautious of scams, particularly those targeting elderly individuals and immigrants who may not speak English as their first language. Additionally, an LA County supervisor has warned about fundraising scams on platforms like GoFundMe, stating that those caught running these scams will be prosecuted by the district attorney's office.
It is crucial for residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities to prevent further exploitation of wildfire victims by scammers.
