Southern California fires have brought out the natural disaster scammers and fraudsters, or individuals who prey on those families and individuals victimized by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, officials said.

As firefighters continue to fight the now 90 percent contained Rye Fire, homeowners and community members in Santa Clarita should be on alert for price hikes from dishonest merchants and scammers.

These price hikes affect areas like food, building materials, emergency supplies, medical supplies, gasoline, transportation, hotel accommodations, rental housing and similar resources.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has issued a warning for disaster scams that advises community members to be on alert for price gouging and prices hikes from dishonest merchants and scammers looking to make a quick buck.

“During this time of emergency, the public should be on look out for price hikes of10 percent or more on essential goods and services,” according to an informational video provided by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. “Scammers and dishonest merchants, unfortunately try to take advantage of those affected by disasters.”

Officials warned that these dishonest business practices could be punished with jail time.

“Price gouging during a state of emergency is a crime, punishable of up to one year in jail and a $10,000 fine,” L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in a statement. “My office is committed to prosecuting those who try to make a quick buck at the expense of someone’s personal tragedy.”  

One official source for disaster relief is through the county’s disaster relief efforts.

“We’ve started our recovery efforts in the Los Angeles County operational area,” said Jeff Reeb, director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. “We ask anyone who suffered property damage because of the recent fires in Los Angeles County to dial 2-1-1 … to report their damages. This will allow the County to determine if we have enough damage to seek a Federal Small Business Administration Declaration, which will offer low interest loans for eligible residents.”

Homeowners, renters and business owners may call the disaster hotline to report damages and can also visit this website.

“The city of Los Angeles is committed to supporting residents through the recovery process, and that process begins with reporting fire damages through 211 LA County,” said Aram Sahakian, general manager of the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department. “These reports help us determine the extent of the impact on our residents and businesses and what is needed to help them recover.”

This isn’t the first time that scammers have taken advantage of natural disasters to scam people out of money. In the past year alone, scammers have used natural disasters like the hurricanes along the Gulf Coast in 2017, as well as the Sand Fire that burned through Canyon Country in 2015, to prompt donations of money and goods for personal gain.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office encourages residents to be aware of the changes in price for goods and services, and to save receipts in case there are any price hikes discovered.

To report suspected price gouging, call the Los Angeles District Consumer Protection Division at 213-257-2450.

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