As a cybersecurity company based in Rio Grande do Sul, Lumiun stands in deep solidarity with the victims of the floods that have devastated our state. The devastation caused by these natural events reminds us of the importance of empathy and collective action to help those who need it most .
Amidst this tragedy, not only are there gestures of solidarity, but also the regrettable presence of scammers who take advantage of people's generosity. Therefore, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and united to combat these malicious behaviors and ensure that our contributions actually reach those in need.
According to a bulletin released by Civil Defense on July 10th, 478 out of the 497 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul reported problems related to the storm, affecting 2.3 million people , with 10,485 in shelters, 388,781 displaced, 806 injured, and 29 missing . These alarming figures briefly reflect the seriousness of the situation and the calamity affecting an entire community.
In this article, in addition to expressing our solidarity and empathy, we have attempted to gather information about legitimate fundraising campaigns currently underway, as well as warnings and guidance on how to identify and report scams that attempt to exploit this delicate situation. Furthermore, this content will be constantly updated as our team gathers new information.
If you are aware of any legitimate campaigns or identify potential scams, please contact us at contato@lumiun.com . Together, we can make a difference and offer real support to communities affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul.
How can I tell if Pix is secure?
How to recognize and protect yourself against fake news?
Serious Campaigns to Support Flood Victims in Rio Grande do Sul
- Pix from the Government of the State of RS
- The Biggest Solidarity Campaign in Rio Grande do Sul
- Forest Cultural Institute
- Strength to Rio Grande do Sul
- Helda Gerdau Institute
- SOS Providers: Help the internet in Rio Grande do Sul
- SOS Rio Grande do Sul
- Donations RS
- Help RS
- Pet RS
- My Home Back
Scams and Fake News Related to the Floods in Rio Grande do Sul
How can I tell if Pix is secure?
One of the quickest ways to financially assist people and cities affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul is through Pix for solidarity campaigns. While Pix is a simple and increasingly popular form of financial transaction, this ease of use also raises concerns about the security and accuracy of the information.
To help people understand if Pix is secure, we've put together some important tips to ensure your donation reaches its intended destination:
- Verify the Authenticity of Information Sources: Make sure you obtain information about Pix from reliable sources, such as official websites of the Central Bank of Brazil or authorized financial institutions.
- Pay Attention to Detail in Transactions: When making transactions via Pix, carefully verify the recipient's information, such as name and CPF/CNPJ (Brazilian tax ID), to ensure it is correct before confirming the payment.
- Use Secure Channels : Prefer to conduct Pix transactions through official banking apps or secure channels provided by financial institutions, avoiding suspicious links or requests for personal data on untrusted websites.
By following these tips, people can use Pix safely and protect their financial information against potential scams and fraud.
How to recognize and protect yourself against fake news?
In addition to concerns about financial security, another challenge faced by internet users is the spread of fake news. In this scenario, it is essential to develop skills to recognize and avoid the dissemination of false information.
Below are the main guidelines for recognizing and protecting yourself against fake news during this delicate time.
-
- Check the Source's Credibility : Make sure the news source is reliable and recognized. Be wary of unknown websites or those with a dubious history.
- Analyze the Information in its Entirety : Verify that the news story is complete and not just an excerpt taken out of context. Fake news often distorts real information to create sensationalism.
- Research from reliable sources : Conduct research using reliable sources, such as reputable news outlets, to confirm the veracity of the news.
- Check Fact-Checking Agencies : Turn to fact-checking agencies, such as Agência Lupa , Aos Fatos , and Boatos , which help identify whether a news story is false or true.
- Beware of Sensationalist Headlines : Be wary of sensationalist or clickbait headlines, which seek to attract attention without necessarily reflecting the accuracy of the information.
- If you have doubts about the veracity of the content, don't share it!
By following these tips, you can better protect yourself against the spread of fake news and ensure that the information shared is reliable and accurate.
Serious Campaigns to Support Flood Victims in Rio Grande do Sul
Several serious campaigns and initiatives have been launched with the aim of providing humanitarian aid, supplying essential resources, and supporting the reconstruction of affected communities.
In this section, we've compiled information about some of the main ongoing campaigns. It's crucial that the public is aware of these reliable initiatives in order to direct their donations and contributions safely and effectively.
Pix from the Government of the State of RS
The government of Rio Grande do Sul has reactivated the donation channel for the SOS Rio Grande do Sul account. The PIX key for CNPJ 92.958.800/0001-38, the same one used last year and linked to the bank account opened by Banrisul, has been reinstated. All funds will be used for humanitarian aid to flood victims and for the reconstruction of municipal infrastructure.
Donation information
Pix Key: CNPJ: 92.958.800/0001-38
Confirm if it appears as: Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul or Associação dos Bancos no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul
The Biggest Solidarity Campaign in Rio Grande do Sul
The Vakinha Institute, Pretinho Básico, and Badin Colono have joined forces to create the largest solidarity campaign in Rio Grande do Sul.
Donation information
Pix key: enchentes@vakinha.com.br
Please confirm if the following appears: Vakinha.com Negocios Virtuais Ltda
CNPJ: 22.831.673/0001-26
Source: https://www.vakinha.com.br/vaquinha/a-maior-campanha-solidaria-do-rs
Forest Cultural Institute
Our goal is to provide essential items to assist in rescues, as well as the purchase and distribution of basic food baskets and hygiene kits. Make your donation.
Donation information
PIX key: 27.631.481/0001-90
Confirm if the following appears: Floresta Cultural Association
Strength to Rio Grande do Sul
All the money raised is being allocated to individuals and institutions that are on the front lines helping those affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul.
Donation information
Online fundraising campaign: https://abacashi.com/p/forca-rio-grande-do-sul-58
Helda Gerdau Institute
A non-profit organization created by the Gerdau Johannpeter family to enhance actions aimed at positive social impact. It is supporting the community in partnership with other institutions to meet emergency needs with food, blankets, clothing, and personal hygiene items.
Donation information
Pix Key: 41.324.668/0001-71
Please confirm if the following appears: Helda Gerdau Johannpeter Institute
CNPJ: 41.324.668/0001-71
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6tl5-iRECN/?img_index=1
SOS Providers: Help the internet in Rio Grande do Sul
Many internet service providers serving flood-affected regions have suffered near-total infrastructure losses. Faced with this challenging scenario, the Association of Internet Service and Information Providers, InternetSul, launched the campaign "SOS Providers: Help the Internet of Rio Grande do Sul" to mitigate the negative impacts and guarantee internet access for all residents of Rio Grande do Sul. Here are some ways you can help with this campaign:
Donating or lending telecommunications equipment
Donate equipment, whether new or used, by visiting the website https://www.internetsul.com.br/ajuders and filling out the form. This will allow us to assess the needs of the affected companies and organize the donation.
Assistance with installation labor, infrastructure, and cleanup.
Contribute by providing specialized technicians for installation, infrastructure assembly, or cleaning. In the form also available at the link on the website mentioned above, provide the contact information and availability of these technicians to facilitate the organization of this support.
Legal support in disputes with the Government
InternetSul is also collaborating with the federal and state governments to develop measures to minimize the impacts of floods. To find out what these actions are, you can visit the association's website at https://www.internetsul.com.br/ajuders or, if you have any questions, contact them via email at juridico@internetsul.com.br .
These are some ways to help internet providers in Rio Grande do Sul. If you wish to help in other ways, visit the website https://www.internetsul.com.br/ajuders to learn about other ways to contribute.
SOS Rio Grande do Sul
This app was developed to organize and distribute supplies, as well as coordinate volunteers during the floods in Rio Grande do Sul. Access the website and see the availability of shelters (whether they are available or full), their donation needs, and volunteer requirements.
Source: https://sos-rs.com/
Donations RS
Digital platform created to organize donations for flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul.
Through the platform you can find places to donate and contribute to communities affected by the flood. You can also find information about the nearest donation locations.
To date, 14 locations have been registered; 12 of the registered collection points are in Caxias do Sul, one in Canela, and another in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Source: https://doacoesrs.com.br/
Help RS
A platform created so that anyone with internet access can report emergency situations via website or WhatsApp. The platform displays what the person needs at that moment in terms of donations.
Source: https://app.ajuders.com.br/
Pet RS
Through the form, the owner registers their lost pet, using good quality photos and filling in specific fields, and adds a WhatsApp contact. This allows for the pooling of information to help find pets that became lost during the heavy rains.
Source: https://petsrs.com.br/
My Home Back
As the water began to recede, many families needed help cleaning their homes. Through the "Meu Lar de Volta" platform, you can request assistance or volunteer to help clean residences.
Scams and Fake News Related to the Floods in Rio Grande do Sul
Unfortunately, amidst the tragedy of the floods in Rio Grande do Sul, some individuals and criminal groups have taken advantage of the situation to perpetrate scams and spread fake news. It is important that the public be aware of these malicious behaviors in order to prevent their donations and solidarity efforts from being misused.
Below, we list the main scams and fake news related to the floods in Rio Grande do Sul. This list will be constantly updated to reflect new information and warnings about these malicious practices.
#fakenews Pix and Helicopter Scam
Criminals are impersonating legitimate entities and creating fake fundraising campaigns, fraudulently using Pix (Brazil's instant payment system) to divert funds intended for victims.
There are reports of criminals offering fake helicopter rescues in exchange for upfront payment, taking advantage of the emergency situation and the vulnerability of people affected by the floods.
Source: Helicopter scam: criminals take advantage of tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul to commit fraud.
#fakenews 300 bodies in Canoas
In an audio circulating on social media, an unidentified person claims that there were more than 300 bodies in the Mathias region (Mathias Velho neighborhood, in Canoas), and that firefighters were estimating that there were more than 2,000 dead. The audio says: “I heard here that the guys who were in the boat in Mathias have more than 300 dead bodies in a corner they're searching at the entrance to Mathias, and that's not counting the bodies they can't retrieve anymore. And the firefighters are all estimating more than 2,000 dead.”
Why it is false. According to the State Civil Defense, the official number of deaths as a result of the flood is 90 people, as of Tuesday afternoon (7). The Public Security Secretariat of RS said that there is no official confirmation about the fact reported in the audio.
Source: Fake news about Rio Grande do Sul having 300 bodies in Canoas and videos from other countries.
#fakenews Cattle swept away by water in Mexico
A video of cattle being swept away by a flood was not recorded during the storm that has been hitting Rio Grande do Sul since Monday. The footage has been circulating on social media since 2020, with references to a flood in Mexico.
Source: Fact-checking: Video of cattle being swept away by floodwaters has been circulating since 2020.
#fakenews Video shows flooding in Kazakhstan
Images of a flooded city are accompanied by a superimposed caption that reads "situation in Rio Grande do Sul".
Through a reverse image search on Google Lens, the search engine identifies that the images show the Ural River, on the border between Kazakhstan and Russia.
Source: Fake news about Rio Grande do Sul having 300 bodies in Canoas and videos from other countries.
#fakenews Government fines boatmen who rescue victims
On Sunday night (5), the government of Rio Grande do Sul denied the information about the fine and informed through a note that “there is no requirement for a license to drive these devices, according to information from the State government, through the Crisis Cabinet”.
Source: Volunteers with boats can participate in rescue operations.
#fakenews Vehicles carrying donations for flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul being stopped at tax checkpoints.
It is not true that the Finance Department (Sefaz) of the Rio Grande do Sul state government is demanding invoices and preventing the entry of trucks carrying donated supplies to flood victims in the state, as claimed in social media posts. In a statement, the department denied that vehicles are being detained at tax checkpoints.
Source: https://www.aosfatos.org/noticias/falso-doacoes-vitimas-enchente-barradas
#fakenews It's false that the list shows the names of children without parents sheltered at a university in Canoas.
It is false that a list of names circulating on social media is of children without guardians sheltered at Ulbra (Lutheran University of Brazil), the main emergency shelter in Canoas. The list, in reality, is of homeless people housed in a church in another municipality in Rio Grande do Sul. The Public Prosecutor's Office of Rio Grande do Sul confirms nine cases in which children were temporarily unaccompanied by parents or guardians and says that the necessary measures have already been taken.
Source: https://www.aosfatos.org/noticias/falso-lista-nomes-criancas-sem-pais-canoas/
#fakenews It is false that firefighters and volunteers found 2,000 bodies in a neighborhood of Canoas.
It is not true that 2,000 bodies of flood victims were found in the Mathias Velho neighborhood, in Canoas (RS), last Thursday (9), as claimed in an audio shared by publications on social networks. The same audio claims that the city authorities are storing the corpses in cold chambers so as not to cause panic among the population. The City Hall of Canoas and the IGP (General Institute of Expertise) of Rio Grande do Sul denied the rumor.
Source: https://www.aosfatos.org/noticias/falso-2000-corpos-mathias-velho-canoas/
#fakenews It's false that Starlink internet is the only one available in Rio Grande do Sul during floods.
It is not true that the internet provided by Starlink, the satellite company of billionaire Elon Musk, is the only one still operating in Rio Grande do Sul after the floods. Conexis — the Association of Telecommunications and Connectivity Companies in Brazil — stated that the main fixed and mobile internet operators have maintained active networks in most of the state and that Starlink represents only 0.1% of the local market.
Source: https://www.aosfatos.org/noticias/falso-starlink-unica-internet-rs-enchentes/
#fakenews There is no official guidance for flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul to register with Civil Defense to receive assistance.
It is not true that flood victims in Rio Grande do Sul should fill out a Civil Defense form as soon as possible to receive government assistance, as claimed in social media posts. The state's Social Development Secretariat has informed that it is not yet registering people affected by the floods and that municipalities will carry out the registrations at an opportune time, not now. The current guidance is for the population to await instructions from the public authorities.
#fakenews The viral video of flooding invading a road is not from Rio Grande do Sul; the images are from Japan.
The video circulating on social media has no relation whatsoever to the floods affecting Rio Grande do Sul since the end of April. The video is not recent and was not recorded in Brazil, but in 2011 in Japan, when the east of the country suffered an earthquake followed by a tsunami.
Source: Viral video of flooding inundating road is not from Rio Grande do Sul; images are from Japan.
#fakenews Video of two people rescued from floods in Rio Grande do Sul, the footage is old and was recorded in Türkiye.
Images circulating on social media show the rescue of two people being swept away by the current as if they were victims of the tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul; the video, in fact, was recorded in March 2023 and shows the rescue of a mother and daughter during a flood in Turkey.
Source: It's #FAKE that the video of two people rescued from the floods is from Rio Grande do Sul.
#fakenews It is false that 2,000 bodies were frozen in a freezer in Canoas (RS)
It is false that more than 2,000 deaths have occurred in the state, nor in the municipality of Rio Grande do Sul. A video circulating on social media claims that bodies are being frozen in a cold storage facility in the Mathias Velho neighborhood of Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul. In the recording, an unidentified woman says there are approximately 2,000 bodies at the location. The General Institute of Forensics of Rio Grande do Sul denied that they are storing bodies in cold storage facilities and that they received 2,000 bodies for autopsy.
Source: It is false that 2,000 bodies were frozen in a freezer in Canoas.
If you are aware of any legitimate campaigns or identify potential scams, please contact us at contato@lumiun.com . Together, we can make a difference and offer real support to communities affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul.
