D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb has issued a consumer alert to city residents, urging vigilance against scams related to California wildfire relief donations.
Schwalb’s statement pointed out the generous spirit of Washingtonians eager to assist those affected by the fires in Southern California, but he warned of opportunistic scammers exploiting this disaster.
“Many Washingtonians understandably want to help those harmed by the devastating wildfires in Southern California,” Schwalb said. “Unfortunately, there are bad actors who prey upon that generous spirit, taking advantage of a natural disaster in order to line their pockets.”
Schwalb advised potential donors to research any charity before donating or sharing personal information thoroughly. He recommended verifying the legitimacy of charities through established resources such as IRS Select Check, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and the National Center for Charitable Statistics.
Donors are encouraged to confirm that charities are properly licensed to operate, especially in D.C., by contacting the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Similar verification should be done for charities outside the District through state charity officials.
The attorney general stated obtaining written information from charities about their mission, how donations will be used, and confirmation that contributions are tax-deductible is crucial. He expressed concern over charities that do not provide such information, demand donations through non-refundable payment methods, or pressure for immediate contributions.
For secure donations, Schwalb advised using refundable payment methods like checks or credit cards and insisted on obtaining written confirmation of donations. He also cautioned against giving to organizations that use law enforcement or military names without verification.
The consumer alert also warned against donating through peer-to-peer or social networking sites due to difficulties in ensuring the proper use of funds. Schwalb advised being wary of claims that “100% of proceeds” from merchandise sales will go to charity, as this does not guarantee that all of the sales price benefits the cause.
Residents who believe scams have targeted them are urged to contact the Office of the Attorney General through their consumer hotline, email, or an online complaint submission to receive assistance.
Schwalb said residents can call the OAG Consumer Hotline at 202.442.9828, send an email to consumer.protection@dc.gov, or submit a consumer complaint online at oag.dc.gov.