IRS Warns of Fake Charity Scams Targeting Well-Meaning Donors

The IRS is cautioning taxpayers about the risks of fake charities during times of crises and natural disasters. The agency warned that fake charities often target the public by using fake websites, emails, or caller IDs that appear legitimate. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel emphasized the importance of confirming a charity’s authenticity before donating and recommends using the IRS’s Tax-Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) tool to ensure the charity is qualified. To protect against scams, they recommend verifying the charity’s details, resisting pressure to donate immediately, refraining from giving excessive personal information, and being cautious of donation methods. The agency remarked that only donations to qualified tax-exempt organizations recognized by the IRS will be tax-deductible.

If you would like to read more, please visit:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-beware-of-fake-charities-check-before-donating