Attorney General Ken Paxton announces investigation into fraudulent charity impersonation scams after tragic flooding
AUSTIN Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced an in - vestigation into fraudulent chari - ty scams where bad actors used payment processors to collect donations under false pretenses. "It is sick and disgusting that people would use the trag- edy of the devastating floods to enrich themselves by deceiving well-meaning people trying to help," said Attorney Gener - al Paxton. "I will use the full weight of my office to investigate these claims and hold bad actors responsible. Please continue to pray for those affected by this tragedy and report any scams to my office." The Center Point Volunteer Fire Department ("CPVFD") of Kerr County, Texas respond - ed to the Texas Hill Country's catastrophic floods with search, rescue, and recovery operations. As the CPVFD heroically assist - ed victims, their fire station was predominantly lost to floodwater. As a designated 501(c)(3) organi -
zation, CPVFD sought donations to fund itself and continue assist - ing Texans during this disaster. Bad actors seeking to exploit the tragedy for personal profit be - gan to target CPVFD in several payment platform impersonation schemes, deceiving consumers into transferring money to them instead of CPVFD. Attorney General Paxton immediately launched an investigation to stop the fraud and hold the scammers accountable. Texans who wish to give mon - ey or provide services to assist those impacted by the devastat - ing flooding should consider the following resources and practices to avoid scams:
Do not wire money or con - firm financial or personal infor - mation, including bank account, credit card, or Social Security numbers. Charity Watch, formerly known as The American Insti - tute of Philanthropy, is a charity watchdog group that helps do- nors make informed choices. Guide Star gathers data on millions of IRS-recognized non - profits. Do not trust a name or phone number. Scammers often use fake names and phone num - bers to disguise their identity and area code.
Be vigilant against text message solicitations or "smish - ing" for donations. You can put your number on the Texas Do Not Call Registry by visiting www.TexasNoCall. com, or by calling toll-free at 1-888-309-0600 and the National Do Not Call Registry by visiting www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll-free at 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236).
Report suspected fraud to the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by calling toll-free 1-800-6210508 or by filing an online com - plaint. For tips and guidance on charitable giving, visit the Attor -
ney General's website.
