• Devastating Mariginiup bushfire a likely target for callous scammers
• Donors urged to be wary of fake websites and bogus social media posts
• Advice to only donate via Lord Mayor’s Distress Fund or licensed charities

Kind-hearted Western Australians looking to donate to the victims of the Mariginiup bushfire are being warned by Consumer Protection to be wary of scammers who may set up fake charity fundraisers.

Individuals who wish to raise funds for victims are also reminded that collecting money for a charitable purpose requires a licence, or the involvement of a licensed charity.

Consumer Protection is yet to receive any scam reports associated with the recent bushfire disaster, but Commissioner Trish Blake believes it’s only a matter of time until scammers strike.

“Heartless scammers are known to capitalise on the vulnerable by pretending to raise money for individual victims or the affected community via fake websites and social media posts,” Ms Blake said.

“You might also be approached by scammers via unsolicited emails and text messages, so the best advice is avoid clicking on any links received in these ways and never hand over personal information like email addresses, phone numbers or bank details to people you don’t know.

“These cruel scams not only steal money from the generous donors who want to help, but they also take away much-needed funds from the victims of these disasters as well.” 

To help those impacted by the Mariginiup bushfire, Consumer Protection recommends making donations to the Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund, which is now actively accepting donations via the official website: https://appealswa.org.au/.

“The best way to avoid being scammed and ensure your donations get to the people who need it most, is to only donate to licensed charities, which will efficiently distribute funds, or official fundraisers like the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief Fund which responds to major issues as they occur,” Ms Blake said.

“Donors should also be aware that online fundraising platforms also charge a fee for their services, which in some cases can significantly impact on the value of your donation.”

Individuals or organisations in WA collecting money or goods from the public for a charitable purpose must be licensed under the Charitable Collections Act, administered by Consumer Protection.

“Face-to-face collectors must have an identity badge or document naming the charity and WA licence number, and they need to issue a receipt containing that information. Donors should make sure that any cash collection boxes are securely sealed before putting any money directly into the box,” Ms Blake said.

Consumers can check if a charity or not-for-profit organisation is licensed to collect funds from the WA public by referring to the licensed charity register on the Consumer Protection website. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) also maintains a public register that lists the official website and contact details for all registered charities in Australia. 

More information about charity donations and collections is available on the Consumer Protection website and enquiries can be made by email charities@demirs.wa.gov.au. Report scam attempts to WA ScamNet via the website or by email consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au or phone 1300 30 40 54.

Media Contact: Frankie Pennington, (08) 6552 9410 / 0423 846 397

cpmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au