In the wake of Oregon's recent natural disasters, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is stepping up to remind the state’s residents to keep their guards up against fraudulent actors aiming to take advantage of the surge in charitable giving. According to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management public warning, scammers are expected to exploit the situation through sham fundraising efforts and crooked schemes promising to aid those struck by the calamity.

The concern is that these bad actors might use phone calls, mail, email, text, even in-person visits, to carry out their scams. With the proliferation of online fundraising platforms like GoFundMe, verifying the legitimacy of a charity has become more crucial than ever. In response, OEM has released a set of guidelines designed to help people make informed decisions about where to send their aid, as reported by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.

Oregon Department of Emergency Management's advice includes giving to known and trusted individuals or organizations, checking the security of websites by looking for "https://" and a lock symbol, and keeping personal information private unless the party in question is confirmed to be legitimate. They also recommend regular monitoring of credit reports to catch potential identity theft early and advise against sharing sensitive personal data like Social Security numbers with unknown entities.

In case one suspects fraudulent activity, Oregon Department of Emergency Management urges the community to report it immediately to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Hotline. As for donations, the department recommends using checks or credit cards instead of cash which provide transaction security and are easier to trace. Moreover, staying alert to charity scam tactics can prevent your good intentions from being misused, and people are encouraged to subscribe to the Oregon Department of Justice Scam Alert Network for updates and warnings.