Raoul Issues Wildfire Scam Warning

(Undated) — In the wake of widespread devastation and loss of life caused by wildfires in Southern California, Illinois Attorney General, Kwame Raoul, is warning the public about scams. Raoul says donors may want to avoid the middleman and give directly to charities that have a presence in the region. He says donors who are seeking to support wildfire relief efforts should be wary of requests for clothing, food or other in-kind donations, which may not be appropriate. Unless the charitable organization has the staff and infrastructure to distribute such aid, the donations may be more of a burden than a help. Raoul encourages donors to contact his office’s “Charitable Trust Bureau” to report suspicious solicitations by calling 312-814-2595 or submitting a consumer complaint through the Attorney General’s website.