Wildfire season has hit Central Oregon hard this year.

Many of our neighbors have faced evacuations, poor air quality, property loss, uncertainty, and the stress that comes with living through a disaster. When communities are focused on recovery and helping one another, most people step up. Unfortunately, scammers often do, too.

Fraudsters know that disasters create urgency, emotion, and confusion. They use those moments to pressure people into making quick decisions, sharing personal information, or sending money without fully verifying who they’re dealing with.

The good news? A few simple steps can help you spot the warning signs and protect yourself.

At Mid Oregon, we encourage every member to remember three words: Pause, Verify and Reach Out.

Why Scammers Target Disaster Recovery Efforts

After a wildfire, people are often searching for information, resources, contractors, housing, donations, and financial assistance. Scammers take advantage of that need by pretending to be trusted organizations, charities, contractors, government agencies, or insurance representatives. [gowestasso…iation.org]

Their goal is simple: create urgency so you act before you have a chance to think it through.

If someone pressures you to act immediately, that’s your signal to slow down.

Common Wildfire-Related Scams to Watch For

Fake Charity and Donation Scams

When disasters strike, many people want to help. Unfortunately, scammers know that generosity creates opportunity.

You may see:

  • Social media posts asking for donations
  • Text messages linking to relief funds
  • Emails that appear to come from charitable organizations
  • Crowdfunding campaigns with little or no verification

Warning Signs

  • Pressure to donate immediately
  • Requests for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps
  • Unsolicited links sent by text or email
  • Charity names that closely resemble legitimate organizations

Protect Yourself

Donate directly through the official websites of well-known organizations rather than through links sent to you unexpectedly. Take a few minutes to verify the charity before donating. [gowestasso…iation.org]

Contractor and Cleanup Scams

As communities begin rebuilding, homeowners may be approached by people offering debris removal, repairs, tree removal, roofing services, or other recovery work.

While many contractors are legitimate, some may disappear after collecting payment or perform poor-quality work.

Warning Signs

  • Someone shows up uninvited and offers a “today only” deal
  • Requests for large upfront payments
  • Refusal to provide a written contract
  • No proof of licensing or insurance
  • High-pressure sales tactics

Protect Yourself

Before hiring anyone:

  • Verify licensing and insurance
  • Ask for references
  • Get estimates in writing
  • Document property damage before cleanup begins
  • Avoid making rushed decisions

Legitimate businesses understand that you need time to research your options. [gowestasso…iation.org]

Government and Relief Program Impersonation Scams

Scammers may pretend to represent government agencies, disaster assistance programs, or relief organizations.

They might claim you qualify for financial aid and ask for:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Banking information
  • Online banking credentials
  • Insurance claim information

Warning Signs

  • Unexpected calls, texts, or emails
  • Requests for sensitive information before you’ve applied for assistance
  • Demands for fees to receive benefits
  • Pressure to respond immediately

Protect Yourself

Never share personal or financial information unless you independently verify who you’re speaking with. Contact agencies directly using phone numbers or websites you find yourself, not information provided by the caller. [gowestasso…iation.org]

Fake Financial Institution Messages

Scammers may use wildfire-related events as an excuse to send phishing texts or emails claiming there is a problem with your account, debit card, loan, or online banking.

Warning Signs

  • Urgent messages claiming your account will be locked
  • Links asking you to log in immediately
  • Requests for passwords or security codes
  • Messages that create panic

Protect Yourself

If you receive a suspicious message that appears to be from Mid Oregon or another financial institution, don’t click the link.

Instead:

  • Pause
  • Contact the institution directly using a trusted phone number
  • Verify whether the message is legitimate

What To Do If Something Doesn’t Feel Right

Trust your instincts.

Scammers rely on emotions like fear, urgency, and confusion. If something feels off, stop and investigate before taking action.

Ask yourself:

  • Am I being pressured to act quickly?
  • Have I independently verified who I’m dealing with?
  • Is someone asking for sensitive personal information?
  • Does this offer seem too good to be true?

Even a few minutes of verification can prevent a costly mistake.

What If You’ve Already Been Scammed?

If you think you’ve shared information, sent money, or authorized a transaction because of a scam, act quickly.

Contact Mid Oregon Immediately

The sooner we know what’s happened, the sooner we can help review your accounts and discuss available options.

Secure Your Accounts

  • Change passwords
  • Enable multi-factor authentication where available
  • Review recent account activity
  • Monitor your credit and financial statements

Report the Fraud

Depending on the situation, you may also want to report the scam to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or other appropriate agencies.

Most importantly, don’t let embarrassment stop you from seeking help.

Scammers are professionals at creating convincing stories. Fraud can happen to anyone.

We’re Here for You

Central Oregon has faced a difficult wildfire season, but we’ve also seen neighbors helping neighbors every step of the way.

As recovery continues, protecting yourself from fraud is another important part of protecting your financial well-being.

Remember:

Pause.

Take a moment before sending money, sharing information, or making a decision.

Verify.

Confirm who you’re dealing with through trusted sources.

Reach Out.

If you’re unsure, contact Mid Oregon. We’d much rather help you verify something than help you recover from a scam later.

Together, we can stay informed, stay vigilant, and continue supporting one another through this wildfire season and beyond.

Do you want to help wildfire victims?:

To help our Members feel confident that their wildfire relief donations are going to verified organizations, here is a list of trusted wildfire relief organizations that the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) has provided:

For more tips on protecting your personal information, visit Mid Oregon’s Security and Fraud Page: midoregon.com.