PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Many people across the country are trying to help those affected by the fires in California. However, when tragedy happens, scammers will often try to take advantage of people who are looking to donate. Scott Correia, a regional manager for BankFive, told 12 News people should look out for warning signs when sending financial donations. "Always remember that legitimate charities will give you the time to do your research," he said, explaining that reliable organizations will not pressure you to donate. Correia warned that people have lost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars by donating to fake charities. "Does anything look like it's not coming from a legitimate company? Those are some things that you want to look out for," he said. READ NEXT: 12 Responds helps woman get money back after wallet theft Anyone who believes they have fallen victim to fraud should take action right away, according to Correia. "The first thing you want to do is report the fraud to your local bank," he said. "You always want to dispute the charge, and then freeze your card or account or whichever payment method that you used." Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW