Make the McKenzie Connection!
Make the McKenzie Connection!
When disasters like fires or storms threaten communities, experts say scammers quickly register internet domain names that include the location or storm name, often combined with terms like "help" or "relief."
As Oregonians come to the aid of neighbors who have been forced to evacuate their homes due to wildfires, experts are reminding people to beware of disaster-related scams.
In one survey from 2024, the Census Bureau found over three-quarters of disaster survivors experienced a possible scam within a month of the event.
Paul Griffo, fraud prevention campaign volunteer lead for AARP Oregon, said the most important thing to avoid scams is to do some research before giving away money or personal information.
"The key is the same for these type of scams as all scams and that is we ask people to pause and actively think about the actions they're taking. And in reflecting on that, they're protecting themselves," Griffo explained.
Griffo added impostor scams are the most commonly reported, data backed by the Federal Trade Commission. The scams could be fake contractors peddling home repairs or false representatives from known insurance companies. He advised people to independently verify legitimacy through the Better Business Bureau or by contacting the company directly.
He stressed it is important to be on the lookout for phony charities. Crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe are helpful tools but people need to double-check the sites are real. People can verify charities at sites like CharityNavigator.org. Griffo added anyone can be a victim of fraud and called on people to have compassion for themselves and each other.
"The long-term impact is both emotional as well as financial. So let's work together as a community and support each other," Griffo urged.
Help is available to anyone who is concerned about scams through AARP's Fraud Watch Network, tinyurl.com/yckxby7u
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