How to assist victims of Southern California wildfires without falling for scams

Large, well-established charities are raising funds for fire survivors in LA, but many individuals are also seeking direct support online. GoFundMe reports that hundreds of people have launched fire-related fundraisers.

Donors have responded quickly and generously. “So far, more than $100 million has been raised on GoFundMe to directly assist the families, communities, and businesses impacted by the fires,” said GoFundMe spokesperson Leigh Lehman.

If you’re considering donating, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has cautioned about the risk of scammers and fraudulent fire fundraisers. According to the BBB, hoaxes are a common occurrence during natural disasters or other community-impacting events.

“Unfortunately, this is something we see quite often when it comes to natural disasters,” said Alma Galvan from the BBB, speaking to Telemundo 48’s Miryam Villarreal. To combat this, GoFundMe is verifying each fundraiser and displaying the approved ones on a dedicated page on its website.

“We are reviewing these fundraisers and working directly with organizers to verify their connection to the person, family, or business they’re raising money for,” said Lehman.

For those starting a fundraiser, Lehman noted that it only takes a few minutes, and donations could arrive within about three days. However, expect to answer questions to prove the authenticity of your fundraiser.

“Providing the necessary information, monitoring emails from GoFundMe to assist with the review, and responding promptly to any inquiries will help expedite the process, ensuring funds are delivered securely,” Lehman explained.

If you’re planning to request donations, don’t worry about taxes. The IRS states that donations are generally considered personal gifts and do not need to be reported as income on your federal tax return.

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