KEET Warns Humboldt Residents of Scam Texts Claiming PBS Shutdown, Seeking Donations

Scam text messages claiming PBS would shut down and seeking donations circulated in Humboldt County, KEET PBS warned, posing a risk to residents who rely on public broadcasting for local news and emergency information. The station said the messages were not from KEET, PBS, or NPR and urged caution.

KEET reported that the suspicious texts were received by some area residents on January 22, 2026. The station emphasized that it does not send donation requests through unsolicited text messages and will never ask for donations via links sent from unknown phone numbers. Official KEET communications come from keet-tv.org email addresses, direct recipients to keet.org rather than shortened or unfamiliar links, and match information that appears on KEET on-air announcements, the KEET website, or the station’s official social media channels.

For Humboldt County, where many households depend on public broadcasting for community reporting, local weather and fire updates, and health programming, the scam undercuts a critical public resource. Financial scams that target listeners and viewers can erode trust in local institutions and reduce donations that support programming, outreach and emergency services. Older adults, residents with limited internet literacy, and people with low incomes are commonly more vulnerable to phishing schemes and unsolicited donation appeals, increasing the risk of financial harm and consequent stress that can affect physical and mental health.

KEET advised recipients not to click links in suspicious messages, not to reply, and to delete or mark the messages as spam. If residents are unsure whether a communication is legitimate, KEET recommended contacting the station directly using contact information posted on keet.org. Taking those steps helps protect individual finances and preserves the integrity of community-funded media that plays a role in public health communication and civic life across Humboldt County - from Arcata to Garberville and the coastal communities.

Beyond individual precautions, the incident highlights broader needs for public education and partnerships between broadcasters and local public health and consumer protection agencies. Clear, accessible outreach aimed at seniors, tribal communities and residents with limited broadband can reduce harm and prevent scams from diverting resources away from emergency preparedness and public service programming.

For now, verify any unexpected donation requests through keet.org, delete suspicious texts, and contact KEET if you have questions. Protecting supporters keeps local public media strong and ensures dependable information remains available to the county during wildfires, floods and other health emergencies.