Useful Links:

IRS.gov

Help For Hurricane Victims

News Essentials

What's Hot

News Releases

IRS - The Basics

IRS Guidance

Media Contacts

Facts & Figures

Around The Nation

e-News Subscriptions

The Newsroom Topics

Multimedia Center

Noticias en Español

Radio PSAs

Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts

The Tax Gap

Fact Sheets

IRS Tax Tips

Armed Forces

Latest News

IRS Resources

Contact Your Local IRS Office

Filing Your Taxes

Forms & Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Taxpayer Advocate Service

Where to File

IRS Social Media

Issue Number: Tax Tip 2022-119

People should donate carefully after a disaster to avoid scams

After an emergency or disaster, people rally to help victims by donating money. Unfortunately, this can give criminals an opportunity to prey on them by soliciting donations for fake charities. Scammers may also pose as federal agencies to dupe disaster victims trying to get disaster relief.

People should always be suspicious of unsolicited contact. Scammers often contact their possible victim by telephone, social media, email or in person.

People donating to charity should make sure their money is going to a reputable organization.

• Thieves may pose as a representative of a charity to ask for money or private information from well-intentioned taxpayers.
• Scammers may set up bogus websites using names that sound like real charities. When a taxpayer searches for a charity online, they find the fake website or social media page, instead.
• Donors can use the Tax Exempt Organization Search to find or verify qualified charities. Donations to these real charities may be tax deductible.
• Taxpayers should always give by check or credit card to have a record of the donation.
• Donors shouldn’t give out personal financial information to anyone who asks for money. This includes things like Social Security numbers, credit card information, bank account numbers, and passwords.

Disaster victims should know:

• Scammers may claim to work for the IRS. The thieves say they can help victims file casualty loss claims and get tax refunds.
• Disaster victims can call the IRS disaster assistance line at 866-562-5227. IRS representatives will answer questions about tax relief or disaster-related tax issues.

More information:
National Center for Disaster Fraud
DisasterAssistance.gov
Publication 3067, IRS Disaster Assistance – Federally Declared Disaster Area


Share this tip on social media -- #IRSTaxTip: People should donate carefully after a disaster to avoid scams. http://ow.ly/LNG950K6R1S

Back to top