Watchdog warns about fire appeal scams

Australians wanting to donate money to bushfire appeals have been warned about social media scammers keen to take advantage of their generosity.

Hundreds of people have been left homeless in South Australia's Adelaide Hills as a five-day fire continues through the area.

The SA Country Fire Service recently issued a warning after receiving reports of one person door-knocking for cash collections on its behalf.

Now the nation's consumer watchdog is concerned social media sites are being used to seek donations.

There were no guarantees donated money would find its way to those for whom it was intended, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said.

It warns scammers approach targets using many guises to try to trick people into misplacing their goodwill.

"They capitalise on tragic events as soon as they happen and divert funds away from those in need," said acting commission chairman Michael Schaper in a statement on Wednesday.

The commission received 600 inquiries about various fake charity scams involving $400,000 in 2014.

The status of fund-raising organisations could be checked on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission register, it said.

"Don't let unscrupulous fraudsters take advantage of your generosity," Dr Schaper said.