By Cole Lauterbach/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – The IRS is warning well-intentioned Illinoisans to double-check the charity they’re donating to. It could be a scam.
Hurricane Harvey has caused billions of dollars in damage to the Houston area, leaving many without basic necessities. With charities taking in donations of food, supplies and funds, a number of those outlets are actually scammers looking to get your donation and credit card information.
“Their whole goal is to solicit money or financial information,” said IRS Spokesman Michael Devine.
Devine said the IRS has seen people scammed by email, phone call, “Sometimes they’re so bold that they’ll go door-to-door,” he said.
He says scammers know peoples’ guards are down in the wake of a disaster like Harvey.
“Americans want to be helpful. They want to help those who are in distress,” Devine said. “They’re taking advantage of this.”
He says the best safeguard against getting taken by a fake charity is to stick to ones you know and don’t give out personal financial information.
Some tips from the IRS to avoid being taken by a fake charity:
Be sure to donate to recognized charities.
Be wary of charities with names that are similar to familiar or nationally known organizations. Some phony charities use names or websites that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate organizations. The IRS website at IRS.gov has a search feature, Exempt Organizations Select Check, through which people may find qualified charities; donations to these charities may be tax-deductible.
Don’t give 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.
Consult IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, available on IRS.gov. This free booklet describes the tax rules that apply to making legitimate tax-deductible donations. Among other things, it also provides complete details on what records to keep.
Taxpayers suspecting fraud by email should visit IRS.gov and search for the keywords “Report Phishing.”
