United States authorities warned this Tuesday (30) Americans who wish to send donations to victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela to take extra care to avoid scams and fraud. The warning was made amid the mobilization of community organizations and Venezuelans living in cities such as Miami, New York and Los Angeles.
According to US federal and state authorities, people interested in helping those affected by the tremors should check whether fundraising campaigns are legitimate before sending money. The warning comes after the earthquakes left at least 1,943 dead and 10,571 injured, according to official data released this Tuesday.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged donors to be aware of common signs of fraud and research organizations before contributing. According to him, scams linked to charitable campaigns have become more frequent in the United States. The attorney also stated that he intends to ensure that donations sent by California residents “are not diverted or wasted.”
The state warning came after similar guidance from the United States Federal Trade Commission, the FTC, the agency responsible for protecting consumers against fraudulent, deceptive or abusive practices. According to the agency, Americans should research the reputation of charities before making any transfer.
The commission also recommended caution with crowdfunding campaigns, known as “crowdfunding” According to the FTC, this type of fundraising can be used by scammers to exploit tragedies and deceive people willing to help quickly.
According to FTC data, scams involving false charitable campaigns cause losses of approximately US$200 million per year to Americans. The average loss per victim reaches US$500.
In addition to the fraud warnings, the United States Department of State confirmed that it has allocated $300 million to support organizations working to send essential supplies to earthquake-hit areas in Venezuela.