New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a reminder to New Yorkers to exercise caution when donating to relief efforts for the wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has highlighted the risk of fraudulent charities exploiting donors' goodwill and advises steps to ensure contributions are directed to legitimate organizations.
"In the midst of terrible natural disasters such as the wildfires impacting the greater Los Angeles area, scammers often take advantage of generous acts in exchange for personal gain," said Attorney General James. "While it is inspiring to see so many New Yorkers eager to help, I encourage them to be cautious of sham charities that prey on people’s generosity and ensure that they are giving to trustworthy organizations and groups. We will continue to do everything we can to support victims of this terrible tragedy and I urge anyone who experiences any issues when donating to contact my office."
The OAG suggests several measures for safe donations:
- Verify email solicitations by contacting the charity directly or visiting its website.
- Exercise caution with social media fundraising, ensuring familiarity with campaign organizers.
- Donate only to known charities and review their financial information through reliable sources like OAG's Charities Bureau.
- Inquire about how donations will be utilized, focusing on services provided and budget allocations.
- Scrutinize newly formed organizations post-tragedy for credibility and capability.
- Confirm authorization before texting contributions.
- Avoid cash donations; use checks or official websites instead.
- Protect personal information by verifying organization legitimacy before sharing details.
Suspicious activities or potential scams should be reported to the Charities Bureau at 212-416-8401.