Oregon’s Flood Victims Face Double Trouble with Rising Scam Threats

With flooding and landslides, on Thursday, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) advised residents that they may have another threat to deal with: flood-related fraudulent schemes, especially scams involving online fundraising platforms like GoFundMe.

Flood-Related Scams And Schemes In Oregon

OEM emphasized that Oregonians should remain cautious and informed to avoid falling victim to scams that misuse the devastating floods for financial gain, especially after Governor Kotek declared a State Of Emergency on Tuesday.

As people seek to support those affected, scammers may exploit their generosity by creating fake fundraising campaigns or misrepresenting their intentions. Flood-related scam attempts can present themselves through phone calls, mail, email, text, or in-person visits.

OEM shared the following tips to help protect yourself and your donations:

Research Where Your Charitable Donations are Going:

• Verify the campaign’s authenticity and legitimacy on the registered organization’s Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities page. Only donate to fundraisers created by individuals or organizations you know and trust and can verify how the donation will be used.
• Ensure the website is secure: Never click on suspicious links shared via email or social media and see that the website uses a secure connection (look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the browser).
• Protect personal information: Never share things like Social Security numbers or financial information with unverified individuals or groups.
• Monitor for identity theft: Scrutinize your credit report for anything you don’t recognize. If you think your identity has been compromised, file a complaint at IdentityTheft.gov and freeze your credit accounts.
• Report fraud or suspicious activity to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or www.oregonconsumer.gov
• Avoid cash donations and stick to checks or credit cards for security.
• Sign up for scam alerts at the Oregon Department of Justice Scam Alert Network.

Avoid Contractor Scams for Cleanup and Repairs

• Research contractors thoroughly and verify the business through the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
• Get written estimates and be wary of demands for large upfront payments or unusually low prices.
• Avoid high-pressure sales tactics
• Never pay in cash
• Beware of door-to-door unsolicited offers and verify their legitimacy and credentials before proceeding.

Prevent Fraud

• Where possible, get public aid, which is generally free
• Verify government workers through their identification badges
• Trust your instincts
• Contact law enforcement to confirm the validity of claims.