Key Takeaways:

• Thousands of GoFundMe campaigns have emerged post-LA wildfires, but many are fraudulent.
• Victims and officials urge donors to verify the legitimacy of fundraising campaigns.
• GoFundMe has developed a centralized hub for verified fundraisers related to the wildfires.
• Donors should research campaigns and trust their instincts to avoid scams.

In the aftermath of the devastating wildfires that have swept through Los Angeles County, a significant surge of online GoFundMe fundraising campaigns has been launched to assist victims. However, authorities are sounding alarms about numerous fraudulent accounts appearing in the wake of this disaster.

Since the wildfires began, numerous campaigns have been set up requesting financial assistance for essentials such as disaster relief, short-term lodging, and clothing. Among the victims is Erin Berkowitz, who lost her home in Altadena due to the Eaton fire. A friend created a fundraiser to replace her lost art materials, but shortly after, Berkowitz discovered that a fake Instagram account was impersonating her and linking to a fraudulent GoFundMe page. "To deal with that at the worst moment of my life... was also just extremely worrying and stressful," she explained, highlighting the emotional toll these scams take on individuals already facing immense hardship.

Officials, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, have urged people to be vigilant when donating online. Barger emphasized the prevalence of scams and encouraged potential donors to "call my office... if it doesn’t pass the smell test." In an effort to combat fraud, GoFundMe has established a centralized hub where individuals can find over 1,200 verified fundraisers related to the ongoing wildfires. According to a GoFundMe spokesperson, fundraisers must undergo a thorough verification process involving both human and technical reviews to be deemed legitimate.

For anyone intending to donate, GoFundMe provides tips on validating the authenticity of a campaign. Individuals are urged to scrutinize fundraiser pages, looking for clear titles, images, and well-articulated descriptions free of spelling errors. Cross-referencing details with social media profiles or local news can also help establish legitimacy. GoFundMe further encourages donors to use its contact button to communicate directly with campaign organizers if they have questions.

If a fundraiser raises suspicious signals, GoFundMe has a reporting feature that initiates an investigation into its legitimacy. Should a campaign be found fraudulent, any donors are guaranteed a full refund through the company's Giving Guarantee. GoFundMe spokespersons stress their zero-tolerance policy for misuse and their cooperation with law enforcement on investigations.

When making a donation, be aware that GoFundMe charges a standard transaction fee of 2.9% plus 30 cents per donation. There’s also an optional “Tip GoFundMe Services” feature that defaults to 14% of the donated amount, although it can be adjusted.

Experts also advise donors to consider who the organizer is and their relation to the intended beneficiary. Comments and support from family and community members can lend credibility to fundraisers. Most importantly, "If something feels off to you, assume that you're right and trust that feeling," stated Ruth Susswein, a spokesperson for Consumer Action, underscoring the critical role of intuition in navigating these channels.

For more information and access to the centralized list of verified campaigns, visit the official [GoFundMe hub](https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/la-fires-gofundme-account-legit-spot-scams-20033879.php).