Protect yourself from post-wildfire financial scams

As if the catastrophe of the recent southern California wildfires was not bad enough, scam artists are reportedly using the disaster to prey on victims and good Samaritans alike.

The IRS warns taxpayers to avoid a fraudulent e-mail soliciting charitable contributions to aid fire victims that appears to be from the IRS and the U.S. government. The scam leads readers to a phony Web site with a donation form requesting the recipient’s personal information.

The IRS says the site is another example of phishing, in which recipients are tricked into providing personal and financial information that can be used to steal their assets. For tactics on protecting yourself from phishing, click here.

Other post-disaster threats

After a disaster, you may receive a phone solicitation from an organization purporting to be collecting for disaster relief. The Identity Theft Resource Center, a San Diego-based not-for-profit organization, recommends you hang up on such calls and initiate the call yourself to your charity of choice. Most legitimate relief agencies are too busy administering to disaster victims to solicit donations, the ITRC notes.

If you have been dealing with a business affected by the fires, call as soon as you know they’re back in business to confirm that your identifying data—financial records, social security number, etc.—have not been compromised, which could lead to identity theft. If you’re told otherwise, visit the ITRC’s Web site for guidance on what to do. And click here for our article on preventing identity theft. —Tobie Stanger