People donating to wildfire relief or hiring contractors after an evacuation should independently verify charities and businesses before sharing money or personal information, an AARP Oregon fraud-prevention volunteer said.
A 2024 Census Bureau survey found more than three-quarters of disaster survivors encountered a possible scam within a month of the event.
Paul Griffo of AARP Oregon said impostor schemes are the most frequently reported and can involve fake repair contractors or people posing as insurance representatives. He advised contacting a company directly or checking its record with the Better Business Bureau rather than relying on contact information supplied by a caller.
Donors should also verify charities and crowdfunding pages before contributing. Charity Navigator is among the services that can help confirm nonprofit organizations.
Griffo said anyone can become a fraud victim and urged people to recognize both the financial and emotional effects. AARP's Fraud Watch Network provides assistance to people concerned about scams.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
