It’s all over social media, e-mails stacking in your inbox, and even a desperate voice at the end of your phone – cries asking for your help for Hurricane Harvey victims.
The Internal Revenue Service Wednesday issued a warning about possible fake charity scams emerging due to the Texas disaster, and encouraged taxpayers to seek out recognized charitable groups for their donations. Details on available relief can be found on their disaster relief page.
Those who are wanting to help should consider well known national groups, like the Red Cross, and contact them directly.
Red Cross CEO Tanguy Libbrecht: “…buy the necessary supplies that we need to to help offer aid and assistance down in Hurricane Harvey. It’s a long response, it is going to be going on for a very long time, and we will be offering anything we need to to alleviate suffering.
IRS.gov has the tools people need to quickly and easily check the status of charitable organizations with their search feature, Exempt Organizations Select Check, through which people may find qualified charities where their donations may be tax-deductible.
If you are wondering what the requirements are to make that donation tax deductible, consult IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions to learn about the tax rules that apply to making legitimate tax-deductible donations. It also provides complete details on what records to keep.
Criminals try to take advantage of generosity by impersonating charities to get money or private information from well-meaning taxpayers, often by send emails that steer recipients to bogus websites that appear to be affiliated with legitimate charitable causes. These sites frequently mimic legitimate charities, or claim to be affiliated with legitimate charities in order to persuade people to send money or provide personal financial information that can be used to steal identities or financial resources.
The IRS also warns against giving out personal financial information — such as Social Security numbers or credit card and bank account numbers and passwords — to anyone who solicits a contribution. Scam artists may use this information to steal a donor’s identity and money. Never give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or credit card or another way that provides documentation of the donation.
Those who have received an email requesting a donation that they think may be fraudulent should visit IRS.gov and search for the keywords “Report Phishing.” or “scams and schemes.”
Story as aired on KSRM News:
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