Vicky Nguyen

GoFundMe actually has this centralized hub for all of its fundraisers related to the wildfire, and their trust and safety team has verified that. So you can go to that hub to make sure the fund that you're trying to donate to is legitimate.

GoFundMe actually has this centralized hub for all of its fundraisers related to the wildfire, and their trust and safety team has verified that. So you can go to that hub to make sure the fund that you're trying to donate to is legitimate.

They do have a money-back guarantee for your peace of mind, but they also say, please, use your common sense, not just for this disaster, but for all GoFundMe accounts that are set up. So some tips. Donate to fundraisers where you directly know someone or it's a friend of a friend. That way, at least you have a connection.

They do have a money-back guarantee for your peace of mind, but they also say, please, use your common sense, not just for this disaster, but for all GoFundMe accounts that are set up. So some tips. Donate to fundraisers where you directly know someone or it's a friend of a friend. That way, at least you have a connection.

If it's a stranger, you want to look at the description and make sure it has information about the organizer and their actual relationship to the beneficiaries. And this one's a little trickier, but if you know how to go on Google and use a reverse image search, Google will allow you to look up the images on that GoFundMe to see if those are just stock photos.

If it's a stranger, you want to look at the description and make sure it has information about the organizer and their actual relationship to the beneficiaries. And this one's a little trickier, but if you know how to go on Google and use a reverse image search, Google will allow you to look up the images on that GoFundMe to see if those are just stock photos.

Almost like catfishing, Vicki, in a way.

Almost like catfishing, Vicki, in a way.

Exactly. They use these great images that really tug on your heartstrings. And then you realize, oh, this is from like 2009. And honestly, it just takes a moment, right, to do a quick Google search. Has this GoFundMe or this organization been written about by reputable news outlets?

Exactly. They use these great images that really tug on your heartstrings. And then you realize, oh, this is from like 2009. And honestly, it just takes a moment, right, to do a quick Google search. Has this GoFundMe or this organization been written about by reputable news outlets?

The first thing they need to do is understand what the benefits are that they're eligible for. People can get assistance from FEMA. They can get help with short-term rent, with lodging, like if they need to stay at a hotel or somewhere. and rebuilding. But you do need to reach out to the government. FEMA's website is there for you to go and fill out those applications.

The first thing they need to do is understand what the benefits are that they're eligible for. People can get assistance from FEMA. They can get help with short-term rent, with lodging, like if they need to stay at a hotel or somewhere. and rebuilding. But you do need to reach out to the government. FEMA's website is there for you to go and fill out those applications.

But you need to make sure that the people you are interacting with really are from the federal government.

But you need to make sure that the people you are interacting with really are from the federal government.

Yeah, be very careful if you're getting a phone call from a random number, right? Scammers will pose as callers from FEMA. Sometimes, Andrea, they will spoof FEMA's number to make it look like it's coming from FEMA. So if anyone is calling to ask you for your personal financial information— that is a red flag.

Yeah, be very careful if you're getting a phone call from a random number, right? Scammers will pose as callers from FEMA. Sometimes, Andrea, they will spoof FEMA's number to make it look like it's coming from FEMA. So if anyone is calling to ask you for your personal financial information— that is a red flag.

This is on you to reach out to the government, not for someone to call and solicit that information from you, right? Also, if someone comes to you, maybe you're going through the belongings you have at your home and they show up, you want to ask, what is your government ID? A FEMA jacket, that's not enough. You can buy that online and put that on. They should have a registration number as well.

This is on you to reach out to the government, not for someone to call and solicit that information from you, right? Also, if someone comes to you, maybe you're going through the belongings you have at your home and they show up, you want to ask, what is your government ID? A FEMA jacket, that's not enough. You can buy that online and put that on. They should have a registration number as well.

If you've already set up your account, you're going through the process, they should be able to verify information to you, not vice versa. If you are applying for aid through FEMA, you don't have to pay anything. It is free. You do not have to pay an application fee at all. If someone's trying to charge you, that is a scam. Same for any sort of inspection from FEMA. That is free.

If you've already set up your account, you're going through the process, they should be able to verify information to you, not vice versa. If you are applying for aid through FEMA, you don't have to pay anything. It is free. You do not have to pay an application fee at all. If someone's trying to charge you, that is a scam. Same for any sort of inspection from FEMA. That is free.