As a cybersecurity company based in Rio Grande do Sul, Lumiun joins in deep solidarity with the victims of the floods that are ravaging 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 .
In the midst of this tragedy, not only gestures of solidarity emerge, but also the regrettable presence of scammers who take advantage of people's generosity. Therefore, it is essential that we remain alert and united to combat these malicious behaviors and ensure that our contributions actually reach the people who need them.
According to a bulletin released by the Civil Defense on July 10, 478 of the 497 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul have reported problems related to the storm, with 2.3 million people affected , 10,485 thousand people in shelters, 388,781 thousand homeless, 806 injured and 29 missing . Alarming data that briefly reflects the seriousness of the situation and the calamity for an entire community.
In this article, in addition to expressing our solidarity and empathy, we try to gather information about the serious fundraising campaigns underway, as well as alerts and guidance to identify and report scams that try to benefit from this delicate situation. Additionally, this content will be constantly updated as our team evaluates new information.
If you are aware of any serious campaign or identify possible scams, please contact us via email 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 to identify if Pix is safe?
How to recognize and protect yourself against fake news?
Serious Campaigns to Support Flood Victims in Rio Grande do Sul
- RS State Government Pix
- The Biggest Solidarity Campaign in RS
- Floresta Cultural Institute
- Rio Grande do Sul Force
- Helda Gerdau Institute
- SOS Providers: help the internet in Rio Grande do Sul
- SOS Rio Grande do Sul
- RS Donations
- Help RS
- Pet RS
- My Home Back
Scams and Fake News Related to Floods in Rio Grande do Sul
How to identify if Pix is safe?
One of the quickest ways to financially help people and cities affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul is through Pix for solidarity campaigns. Since Pix is a simple form of financial transaction that is growing in popularity, however, at the same time, concerns also arise about the security and veracity of the information.
To help people understand whether Pix is safe, we have put together some important tips to ensure that your donation reaches the correct destination:
- Check 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.
- Attention to Details in Transactions: When carrying out transactions via Pix, carefully check the recipient's data, such as name and CPF/CNPJ, to ensure they are correct before confirming the payment.
- Use Secure Channels : Prefer to carry out Pix transactions through official banking applications or secure channels provided by financial institutions, avoiding suspicious links or requests for personal data on untrustworthy websites.
By following these tips, people can use Pix safely and protect their financial information against possible 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 prevent the spread of false information.
Below are the main guidelines for recognizing and protecting yourself against fake news at this delicate time.
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- Check Source Credibility : Make sure the source of the news is reliable and recognized. Be wary of unknown websites or those with questionable history.
- Analyze the Information in its entirety : Check that the news is complete and that it is not just an excerpt out of context. Fake news often distorts real information to create sensationalism.
- Search Reliable Sources : Carry out research on reliable sources, such as renowned press outlets, to confirm the veracity of the news.
- Check with Fact Checking Agencies : Use fact checking agencies, such as Agência Lupa , Aos Fatos e Boatos , which help identify whether a piece of news is false or true.
- Attention to Sensationalist Titles : Pay attention to sensationalist titles or clickbaits, which seek to attract attention without necessarily reflecting the veracity of the information.
- If you have any doubts about the veracity of the content, do not 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, providing essential supplies and supporting the reconstruction of affected communities.
In this topic, we have gathered information about some of the main ongoing campaigns. It is essential that the population is aware of these reliable actions, in order to direct their donations and contributions in a safe and effective way.
RS State Government Pix
The government of Rio Grande do Sul reactivated the donation channel for the SOS Rio Grande do Sul account. The CNPJ pix key 92.958.800/0001-38 was reestablished, the same one used last year, linked to the bank account opened by Banrisul. The resources will be fully used for humanitarian support for flood victims and for the reconstruction of municipal infrastructure.
Donation details
Pix Key: CNPJ: 92.958.800/0001-38
Confirm that it appears: Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul or Association of Banks in the State of Rio Grande do Sul
The Biggest Solidarity Campaign in RS
Instituto Vakinha, Pretinho Básico and Badin Colono came together to create the largest solidarity campaign in Rio Grande do Sul.
Donation details
Pix Key: Virgínias@vakinha.com.br
Confirm that it 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
Floresta Cultural Institute
Our objective is to allocate necessary items to assist in rescues, in addition to purchasing and distributing basic food baskets and hygiene kits. Make your donation.
Donation details
PIX key: 27.631.481/0001-90
Confirm that it appears: Associação Cultural Floresta
Rio Grande do Sul Force
All money raised is being allocated to individuals and institutions that are on the front line in helping those affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul.
Donation details
Crowdfunding online: https://abacashi.com/p/forca-rio-grande-do-sul-58
Helda Gerdau Institute
Non-profit association created by the Gerdau Johannpeter family in order 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 materials.
Donation details
Pix Key: 41.324.668/0001-71
Confirm that it appears: Instituto Helda Gerdau Johannpeter
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
There are many almost total losses of infrastructure faced by many internet providers that serve the regions affected by the floods. Faced with this challenging scenario, the Association of Internet Service and Information Providers, InternetSul, launched the campaign “SOS Providers: help the internet in Rio Grande do Sul” to mitigate negative impacts and guarantee internet access for all gauchos . Check out some of the ways you can help with this campaign:
Donate or lend telecommunications equipment
Donate equipment, whether new or used, access the https://www.internetsul.com.br/ajuders and fill out the form, through which the needs will be assessed with the affected companies and the donation will be organized.
Help with installation, infrastructure and cleaning labor
Contribute by providing technicians specialized in installation, infrastructure assembly or cleaning. In the form also available at the website link mentioned above, provide the data and availability of these technicians, to facilitate the organization of this support.
Legal support in claims with the Government
InternetSul is also collaborating with the federal and state governments to develop measures to minimize the impacts of flooding. To find out what these actions are, you can access the association's website https://www.internetsul.com.br/ajuders or if you have questions, email juridico@internetsul.com.br .
These are some ways to help internet providers in Rio Grande do Sul, if you want to help in another way, visit the website https://www.internetsul.com.br/ajuders and find out other ways to help.
SOS Rio Grande do Sul
Application developed to organize and distribute supplies, as well as coordinate volunteers during floods in Rio Grande do Sul. Access the website and see the availability of shelters (whether they are available or full), your donation and volunteer needs.
Source: https://sos-rs.com/
RS Donations
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. Finding information about your nearest donation locations.
To date, there are 14 registered locations, 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
Platform created for anyone with internet access to report emergency situations via website or WhatsApp. The platform shows what the person currently needs in donations.
Source: https://app.ajuders.com.br/
Pet RS
Using the form, the owner registers their lost animal, using good quality photos and filling in specific fields and adds a contact WhatsApp. Through this, it is possible to gather information to find domestic animals that ended up lost during heavy rains.
Source: https://petsrs.com.br/
My Home Back
As the water began to recede, many families need help cleaning their homes. Through the “Meu Lar de Volta” platform, you can ask for help or apply as a volunteer to help clean homes.
Scams and Fake News Related to Floods in Rio Grande do Sul
Unfortunately, amid the tragedy of the floods in Rio Grande do Sul, some individuals and criminal groups have taken advantage of the situation to carry out scams and spread false news. It is important that the population is aware of these malicious behaviors, in order to prevent their donations and solidarity efforts from being diverted.
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 alerts about these malicious practices.
#fakenews Pix and Helicopter Scam
Criminals are posing as legitimate entities and creating false fundraising campaigns, using Pix fraudulently to divert resources intended for victims.
There are reports of criminals offering false helicopter rescues for advance payment, taking advantage of the emergency situation and sensitivity of people affected by the floods.
Source: Helicopter scam: criminals take advantage of the tragedy in RS to carry out scams
#fakenews 300 bodies in Canoas
In an audio circulating on social media, an unidentified person states that there were more than 300 bodies in the Mathias region (Mathias Velho neighborhood, in Canoas), and that firefighters were estimating that more than 2,000 people would be dead. The audio says: “I heard here the guys who were on the boat in Mathias, there are more than 300 dead bodies in a corner that they are touching there at the entrance to Mathias and other than the bodies that they can no longer get. And the firefighters are estimating more than 2,000 people dead.”
Because it's fake. 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 RS Public Security Secretariat said that there is no official confirmation about the fact reported in the audio.
Source: Fake news about RS has 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 floods was not recorded during the storm that has hit 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 Check: Video of cattle swept away by flood has been circulating since 2020
#fakenews Video shows flooding in Kazakhstan
Images of a flooded city are accompanied by a superimposed caption that says “situation of Rio Grande do Sul”.
Through a reverse 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 RS has 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 in a note that “there is no requirement for a license to drive this equipment, according to information from the State government, through the Office of Crisis".
Source: Volunteers with boats can act in rescue operations
#fakenews Vehicles with donations for flood victims in RS being blocked from tax stations
It is not true that Sefaz (Secretariat of Finance) of the government of Rio Grande do Sul is demanding an invoice and preventing the entry of trucks with supplies donated to flood victims in the state, as claimed by publications on the networks. In a statement, the secretariat denied that vehicles were being detained at tax stations.
Source: https://www.aosfatos.org/noticias/falso-doacoes-vitimas-enchente-barradas
#fakenews It is false that the list shows names of children without parents sheltered at the university of Canoas
It is false that a list of names circulating on the networks 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 Ministry of Rio Grande do Sul confirms nine cases in which children were momentarily unaccompanied by parents or guardians and says that 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 the Canoas neighborhood
It is not true that 2,000 bodies of flood victims were found in the neighborhood of Mathias Velho, in Canoas (RS), last Thursday (9), as alleged in an audio shared by publications on the networks. The same audio states that the city authorities are storing the bodies in cold rooms so as not to cause panic among the population. The City 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 is false that Starlink internet is the only one available in RS during floods
It is not true that the internet provided by Starlink, billionaire Elon Musk's satellite company, is the only one still active in Rio Grande do Sul after the floods. Conexis — 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 RS to register with Civil Defense to receive help
It is not true that victims of the floods in Rio Grande do Sul must fill out a Civil Defense form as soon as possible to receive help from the government, as claimed by publications on the networks. The state's Department of Social Development reported that it is not yet registering people affected by the floods and that the municipalities will carry out the registrations at an appropriate time, not now. The guidance at the moment is for the population to wait for instructions from the public authorities.
#fakenews Viral video of flood that invades road is not from RS, images are from Japan
The video circulating on social media has no connection with the floods that have been affecting Rio Grande do Sul since the end of April. The video is not current 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: Not from RS viral video of flood that invades road; images are from Japan
#fakenews Video of two people rescued from the floods in Rio Grande do Sul, the record is old and was recorded in Turkey
Images circulating on the networks show the rescue of two people who are being carried 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 records the rescue of a mother and daughter from a flood in Turkey.
Source: It is #FAKE that the video of two people rescued from the floods is in Rio Grande do Sul
#fakenews It is false that 2 thousand bodies were frozen in a refrigerator in Canoas (RS)
It is false that more than 2 thousand deaths occurred in the state, nor in the municipality of Rio Grande do Sul. In a video circulating on social media, a video states that bodies are being frozen in a refrigerator in the Mathias Velho neighborhood, in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul. In the recording, an unidentified woman says that there would be approximately 2,000 bodies in the area . The General Institute of Forensics of Rio Grande do Sul denied that they are storing bodies in refrigerators and that they received 2,000 bodies for autopsies.
Source: It is false that 2 thousand bodies were frozen in a refrigerator in Canoas
If you are aware of any serious campaigns or identify possible scams, please contact us via email contato@lumiun.com . Together, we can make a difference and offer real support to communities affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul.
