Erin Berkowitz lost her rental home in Altadena to the Eaton fire. The blaze destroyed her home art studio, the outdoor kitchen where she created textile dyes, and her business inventory, including hundreds of pieces of custom-made clothing and accessories. Read below about the nightmare scam that occurred.
Met with hundreds of @RedCrossLA volunteers to support Angelenos displaced from wildfires.
This is how we will get past this crisis.
Thank you for being here. pic.twitter.com/bGbYT9kaZj
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 18, 2025
To help with her losses, a friend created a fund-raising page for her on GoFundMe.
Some of you have asked how to help:
With the California Transportation Foundation, we've created the LA Metro Wildfire Relief Assistance Fund to aid the 19 Metro employees who lost homes to the wildfires.
If you would like to donate, please visit https://t.co/lZvu916h5n pic.twitter.com/KQSvnf5rZI
— Metro Los Angeles (@metrolosangeles) January 17, 2025
But within hours, she learned that another GoFundMe page looked identical to the one her friend created, except for a slightly different URL. Someone has tried to just make their way in and try to profit off of my tragedy,” said Ms. Berkowitz, a 36-year-old artist and educator.
🌟 Tips for Giving Wisely to Wildfire Relief🌟
The California wildfires have devastated communities, leaving thousands in need. If you’re looking to help, the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) urges donors to give wisely.
Details: https://t.co/rgBsKkqqsC pic.twitter.com/YfUp51Wyp2
— Montgomery County MD Government (@MontgomeryCoMD) January 16, 2025
The page appeared to be one of several fake online fundraisers that Los Angeles officials have warned people to watch out for. Such sites, detailing stories of loss and desperation—family homes obliterated, neighborhood schools in ruins, restaurants desperate to rebuild—are now a ubiquitous symbol of the destruction wrought by the fires. However, scammers can use them to prey on the generosity of people across the globe.
Many DC residents understandably want to help communities harmed by the wildfires in California.⁰
Unfortunately, there are bad actors preying on people's generous spirit.⁰
Here is how to ensure your donations actually help those whose lives were upended.https://t.co/iqjLganvht— AG Brian Schwalb (@DCAttorneyGen) January 17, 2025
“We’re concerned, as has been mentioned in previous press conferences, that there’s a number of sites that are fake,” Mayor Karen Bass said Thursday morning. At a news conference last weekend, Rob Bonta, California’s attorney general, said that scammers can create “fake organizations masquerading as charities,” often targeting elderly people and those whose first language is not English. As wildfires continue to blaze across Los Angeles County, authorities are sounding the alarm on another potential threat to the public: scams relating to the disaster.
Law enforcement officials have warned of bad actors scheming to exploit charitable people who want to support those affected by the fires. “We have people with big hearts who want to help, they want to donate, they want to support the victims,” Bonta said at a press conference on Saturday.
Beware of fake relief charities
“We also see scammers taking advantage of that goodness and that generosity, defrauding those individuals.”
Bonta urged the public to beware of fraudulent organizations falsely claiming to be charities or nonprofits aiding fire victims. Scammers have, at times, targeted elderly individuals, immigrants, and non-English speakers. In some cases, these fraudulent organizations use names that sound misleadingly legitimate.
To avoid these scams, officials suggest that donors contact the charities they consider giving to before making any contributions. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell recommends organizations with websites like Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau. “Take time to thoroughly research the charity or organization you’re considering.”
Reputable groups will have clear information about their mission and proven track records,” McDonnell said in a press briefing Sunday. He also recommended removing cash donations whenever possible, opting for secure, traceable payment methods to ensure that contributions reach those in need. If a donation request appears fraudulent, McDonnell asked the public to contact the police so the matter can be investigated.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna emphasized that law enforcement officials are “eager to prosecute” anyone caught preying on people’s generosity. Bonta reiterated this warning on Sunday, stressing that such actions will have harsh consequences.
To anyone who would go out and take advantage of this tragedy for their greedy gain, who would further victimize people who have potentially lost everything, who are already victims, who would look at this devastation and see dollar signs, I have a message for you: You will be held accountable,” Bonta said. “My office will be engaged to hold you accountable.”
Officials suggested several organizations where people can donate, including World Central Kitchen, Pasadena Humane, and Baby2Baby. This advisory comes as the community rallies to support those affected by the devastating fires, ensuring that aid goes to the right places and truly benefits those in need.
