The Competition Bureau is warning Canadians of fake charities and "scammers" asking for donations for Fort McMurray wildfire relief efforts.

"While situations like these often bring out the best in people, they unfortunately also bring out the worst in some people," the agency said in a statement released earlier this week.

The Competition Bureau on how to ensure donations that are intended for wildfire evacuees actually go to legitimate organizations.

It’s recommending that Canadians looking to a make a donation to the relief efforts:

Don't donate cash or offer financial information if they have any doubt about the organization or individual asking for donations.

  • Verify the organization is listed in the .
  • Donate to an aid organization directly.
  • The agency noted that the is a trusted organization raising funds for Fort McMurray Wildfire evacuees, which will be matched by the federal and Alberta governments.

On Friday, the Red Cross announced it had raised $86 million for wildfire relief efforts, the majority of which has been donated by individual Canadians.