Be mindful of fraud in the wake of recent wildfires in California

In the wake of natural disasters like wildfires, scammers often exploit affected individuals through various fraudulent schemes. Common scams include impersonation of government officials and banks, fraudulent contractors and fake charities. 

Remember: BMO will never contact you via unsolicited email, text or phone call asking for sensitive information, passwords, PINs or verification codes (one-time passcodes). If you get a call, voicemail, email or text from someone claiming to be from BMO and you think it’s suspicious, do not share any personal information and contact us immediately using the information on the back of your card. 

To help protect yourself if you are impacted by the wildfire or would like to help victims, consider the following precautions: 

• Verify Identities: Always ask for identification from individuals claiming to be government officials, banks, contractors, or charity representatives. Legitimate FEMA personnel carry official photo IDs and will not request personal financial information or fees.  
• Be Cautious with Payments: Avoid paying for services upfront, especially in cash. Legitimate contractors typically do not require full payment before completing work. Additionally, be wary of anyone requesting payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as these methods are often used by scammers.  
• Research Charities: Before donating, verify the legitimacy of the charity through resources like Charity Navigator, the Internal Revenue Service  or the Better Business Bureau. Be cautious of high-pressure donation requests or organizations that cannot provide detailed information about their mission and how funds are used.  
  • Only donate to charities or groups whose work you know and trust.
  • Beware of groups with names similar to reputable, well-known charities.
  • Avoid using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers for donations, as requests for these forms of donations are more likely to be scams.
  • Be suspicious of high-pressure or urgent requests to donate money. 
• Protect Personal Information: Do not share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers or visitors. Government agencies and banks will not ask for sensitive information over the phone or via email. If you receive such a request, contact the agency or bank directly using official contact information to verify the legitimacy of the request.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter potential scams, report them to local law enforcement or the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721. Prompt reporting can help prevent others from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.  
• Watch for Online Phishing Attempts: Fraudulent emails and social media messages—often containing malicious links or attachments—are common after major natural disasters. Exercise caution in handling emails with natural disaster- related subject lines, attachments, or hyperlinks. 

Staying vigilant and informed can help protect you from scams during the challenging times following a natural disaster. 

Learn more about the latest scams at BMO.com/US/Security.