Beware of scams while donating to LA wildfire victims. Here's what to look for
TAMPA - There are thousands of people across LA County who are with nothing after their homes burned down.
As the devastation mounts in LA, so do the efforts to help fire victims.

The Better Business Bureau is warning people of Los Angeles wildfire donation scams.
Scammers are also banking on your generous heart.
But the Better Business Bureau and others in law enforcement are warning about scammers, looking to take advantage of your charity.
"The scams have already started," said Randy Sutton, a retired police lieutenant and founder of the nonprofit, ‘The Wounded Blue.’
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He said to beware of anyone soliciting you.
"If you get a text message from somebody purporting to be a charity, they ignore it. There's no there's very little possibility that that is legitimate," he said.
Scammers often target people through pop-ups on websites, e-mails, texts and social media, even utilizing AI to make something look legitimate.

The Better Business Bureau is warning people of Los Angeles wildfire donation scams.
"Crooks are very, very sophisticated. They know how to prey on your weakness. They know how to prey on your heart. During the hurricane. The puppy scams were very, very big," said Sutton.
Sutton's advice, take a pause and do some research.
"You've got to be really careful. You got to do your homework. And don't let your heart get in the way," said Sutton.
Find a nonprofit that aligns with a cause you care about, whether its supporting the firefighters, feeding families, rescuing animals, or rebuilding efforts.
What you can do
On the website, Charity Navigator, you can verify an organization, you can also see their financials and how they spend your donation.
This allows people to evaluate how and where they choose to donate.
"There are charities that only 10% of what they collect goes to the people who are actually being affected. You don't want to give to a charity like that," said Sutton.
The need is immense.
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Sutton says his organization has already identified several law enforcement officers who have lost their homes while on the front line of the fire themselves.
"There's such a tremendous amount of pain that is being that is being experienced in the Los Angeles area by these officers who are not only being affected themselves personally, but they're seeing this devastation. They're collecting bodies. They're seeing bodies burned beyond recognition," said Sutton.
However you choose to support fire victims, you want to make sure it reaches them.
"Find your own niche, find what it is that you want to give to, and by all means, give and know that you're helping because there is a massive, massive need out there," said Sutton.
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