RUIDOSO, New Mexico (KTSM) — New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez and the state’s Department of Justice are warning Ruidoso residents who were affected by the flash floods about potential scams.
According to the news release by the Attorney General’s (AG) Office, these scams can include insurance scams, price gouging schemes, fraudulent charities and more.
The AG’s Office is providing the following tips for flood victims to avoid falling victim to:
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- For example, if an insurance company that is not your insurance company reaches out, making promises or requesting information, it is likely a scam.
- Do not wire money or confirm financial or personal information, including a bank account, credit card, or Social Security numbers.
- Do not trust a name or phone number. Scammers often use fake names and phone numbers to disguise their identity and area code.
- If there appears to be a significant increase in the cost of hotel, food, fuel, etc., that may be price gouging and it should be reported here: NMDOJ.gov/get-help/submit-a-complaint/
Additionally, the AG’s Office is providing tips for individuals who want to donate monetarily to the Ruidoso victims and how to choose/vet a charity:
- Check to see if the organization is registered and in compliance, and continues to register yearly, with the NMDOJ by visiting NMDOJ.gov/Charities
- To find a charity: scroll to the links at the bottom and click “New Mexico Charity Search”
- Check to see where the majority of the organization’s funds are being allocated.
- Examine the accessible tax documents for additional information, including whether or not the organization is a 501(c)(3) as donations to these specific organizations are tax-deductible.
- Utilize additional research resources, including websites such as GuideStar.org, FTC.gov and IRS.gov.
The New Mexico Department of Justice has a Flood Recovery webpage that offers information on natural disaster scam prevention and safe charitable donation tips, as well as a complaint submission portal for those who suspect fraudulent activity.
If you suspect fraudulent activity, such as scams or price gouging, you can report the incident online at NMDOJ.gov/get-help/submit-a-complaint/, or call (505) 490-4060.
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