LA Fire Donation Scams Are Everywhere. Here's How To Spot Them.

From fake fundraisers to lost pet extortion, here are some of the scams that proliferate around disasters, and the red flags to look out for.

When disaster strikes, unfortunately, so do scammers. And the Los Angeles wildfires are no exception.

Yesterday, Kim Kardashian warned her followers about fraudsters pretending to be her and presenting fake wildfire relief fundraisers in order to collect their cash. Victims who’ve lost their homes have also reported fake crowdfunding campaigns using their photos and information to scam would-be donors.

“Scams tend to proliferate during disasters because they create a perfect combination of vulnerability and urgency,” said Lisa Plaggemier, the National Cybersecurity Alliance’s executive director. “Scammers exploit the chaos and heightened emotions to trick victims into rash decisions.”

She added that opportunistic cybercriminals seek to capitalize on people’s distress during difficult times ― as well as the generosity of those witnessing the distress.

“Scams prey on the public’s innate want to help out when they see someone else in need, and disasters trigger a sense of urgency that makes helpers less cautious than they would be normally,” said Mary James, a Los Angeles native and contributor to the digital security and online privacy resource All About Cookies.