As the California wildfires near containment and homeowners begin to assess damage and begin recovery, wildfire relief scammers are also moving in. Disaster relief scams are so common that the U.S. Department of Justice along with law enforcement and regulatory agencies formed the National Center for Disaster Fraud after Hurricane Katrina to improve the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to disasters.
While fake charity scams surge after a disaster like the Los Angeles wildfires, a whole scam industry exists that targets disaster survivors themselves. For those looking to donate to help California wildfire survivors, as well as wildfire survivors themselves, here are key things to know about disaster relief, ways to avoid wildfire relief scams, and how to recognize those there to help for real.
How Donors Can Avoid Wildfire Charity Scams
Those who want to donate funds to support California wildfire survivors should only donate to reputable nonprofits and trusted disaster relief organizations.
For safe donations for California wildfires, and to ensure any donation is effective, search for organizations that have been vetted by Charity Navigator.
The charity evaluation tool even has an evolving list of vetted organizations serving California wildfire survivors.
How California Wildfire Survivors Can Avoid Scams and Fraud
From navigating the Federal Emergency Management Agency application process to recognizing trustworthy disaster responders, here’s how survivors of the California wildfires can protect themselves from scams and fraud.
Apply for Assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency Directly
Financial assistance is available for individuals in Los Angeles County who have disaster-related needs due to the ongoing fires from The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.
To apply for assistance, applicants need only to have the names of everyone living in your home at the time of the fires, a social security number for each, household income, contact information, and information of property damage/emergency needs.
Wildfire survivors can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov. , on the FEMA app for mobile devices, or by calling the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362.
Get Help Applying for FEMA Aid
Navigating the FEMA application process can be difficult, and made more so given that circumstances of a disaster. Luckily, help is available, with local libraries being one of the most reputable sources.
“For those that lost their homes, the FEMA application can be difficult so I advised my own friends that have lost homes to attend these to get direct assistance with their applications,” says TITLE Tiffany delRio. One way to do that is by visiting the local library. In Los Angeles County, FEMA staff will be available to offer assistance with applying for aid and understanding the options at multiple branches of the LA County Library over the coming days and weeks.
Don’t trust your home, money, or recovery to anyone falsely claiming to represent the Federal Emergency Management Agency or claiming to be a FEMA-certified contractor.
Applying For Aid is Always, Always Free
Never trust anyone offering to assist with a grant application for a fee. Federal and state workers do not solicit or accept money, and the U.S. Small Business Administration and FEMA personnel never charge survivors for applying for disaster assistance, for inspections, or for help with completing applications.
Don’t trust your home, money, or recovery to anyone falsely claiming to represent the Federal Emergency Management Agency or claiming to be a FEMA-certified contractor.
Once You’ve Applied, Know Your FEMA Application Number
After you file a FEMA claim, hold on to your application number. Any FEMA representative who calls or visits your home will have it. Anyone claiming to represent FEMA who does not have the application number shouldn’t be trusted.
Also, do not provide personal info over the telephone, including bank account information. If you’re contacted by someone you think may be scamming you, do NOT give them any personal information and call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET to report the incident.
When it Comes to Repairs, There’s No Such Thing as FEMA-Certified
“FEMA neither certifies nor endorses any private-sector contractor,” the agency says. Anyone contacted by a contractor claiming to represent FEMA, or who states FEMA gave the homeowner their name should get as much information as possible about the contractor and report them to the local law enforcement agency.
Never Pay Up Front for Any Repairs
Among the biggest disaster relief scams are those posed by fake contractors. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, disaster survivors who are paying for repairs on their own should always have a written, detailed contract for the work that clearly states everything the contractor will do. That contract should include prices for labor and materials, clean-up procedures, and estimated start and finish dates. Never sign a contract with blank spaces on it, and never pay for work up front. “Always inspect the work and make sure you’re satisfied before you pay. Most contractors will require a reasonable down payment on work, but don’t pay anything until you have a written contract,” says the organization.
How To Recognize Legit Organizations and Avoid Disaster Relief Scams
If They’re With FEMA, They’ll Have a Photo ID
Don’t trust a logo on a shirt or jacket. Anyone associated with FEMA will carry a laminated FEMA photo ID badge. Expecting a FEMA representative for a home inspection? Don’t let them into your home without first seeing a FEMA photo ID. And, if you’re unsure, call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585.
If They’re With a Nonprofit, You Can Confirm It
Numerous volunteer-based aid organizations do assist after disasters at no cost to the survivors. In California, for example, the Red Cross is helping shelter people whose homes were destroyed by the Los Angeles wildfires, while World Central Kitchen is helping feed first responders, survivors, and local volunteer groups.
Meanwhile, veteran-led disaster relief nonprofit Team Rubicon (in the grey shirts) has stood up its emergency operations center out of its LA headquarters. Already it has provided logistical support to the Riverside County Emergency Management Department.
Currently, Team Rubicon’s volunteers—known as Greyshirts—are assisting with a point to distribution (POD) to give out much-needed supplies to survivors, such as food, water, ice, and other essential items, and assisting residents impacted by power outages related to the ongoing wind and fire events.
Disaster Relief Volunteers Won’t Ask for Money
Disaster relief nonprofits, like Team Rubicon, that offer emergency home repair and recovery services to those impacted by disasters will never, ever ask for money: not for supplies, not for work, not for anything.
If someone posing as a volunteer asks for money for supplies, asks you to sign over any insurance payments, or asks for a donation to their organization, close the door and report them immediately.
They’ll Wear a Grey Shirt Bearing Their Name
While in the case of FEMA you can’t trust a logo (just a photo ID badge, please) Team Rubicon’s Greyshirts wear a uniform: work boots, long pants, and a grey t-shirt with a white stripe across the front bearing their name.
Don’t believe the rumors: Many rumors about who FEMA provides aid to and what the agency supports abound after disasters. Here are the five things FEMA wants people to know about the organization, and federal and nonprofit support for the California wildfires response.
