Cybercriminals are posing as federal officers, exploiting California wildfire victims by demanding fees and personal information.
In the United States, thousands of people have lost their homes in California’s recent wildfires. The fires have caused billions of dollars in damages, and cybercriminals are trying to exploit this unfortunate situation. In this week’s scam, cybercriminals contact you by email, phone, or even in person. They claim to be federal officers who can help you receive grant money to rebuild your property.
The cybercriminals tell you that in order to receive financial aid, you have to pay them fees. Even worse, they ask for information such as your Social Security number and address so that they can steal your identity. If you pay their fees, you won’t receive any grants to repair your property. Instead, your money goes straight into the cybercriminals’ pockets, and your identity will be stolen!
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a disaster-related scam:
- Be wary of demands for payment or cash fees. No real federal agencies will ask you for money in return for receiving a grant.
- Check official government websites for legitimate disaster relief information. Be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls, or door-to-door visits offering disaster relief.
- Be cautious of requests for personal information. Real organizations won’t ask for sensitive information like Social Security numbers over the phone or via email.
Stop, Look, and Think. Don’t be fooled.
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