The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a notice urging taxpayers to be on guard for scammers posing as charities in the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
The IRS warned in a statement issued on Oct. 15 that fraudsters have been exploiting the generosity of individuals looking to help disaster victims by soliciting donations through fake charitable organizations.
These scams are designed not only to steal donations but also to harvest personal and financial data from unsuspecting Americans, opening the door to identity theft and other types of fraud.
“Many people want to help survivors and their families by donating to charities,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement. “Too often, criminals take advantage of would-be donors’ kindness by stealing money and personal information from well-meaning taxpayers.”
“You should never feel pressured by solicitors to immediately give to a charity,” Werfel said. “It’s important to do the research to verify if they’re authentic first.”
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The IRS also advised taxpayers to avoid giving out sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or credit card details, and to steer clear of charities that request payment through unconventional methods like gift cards.
“Never work with charities that ask for donations by giving numbers from a gift card or by wiring money. That’s a scam,” the agency cautioned. “It’s safest to pay by credit card or check—and only after verifying the charity is real”
The IRS also recently announced relief for taxpayers affected by Hurricane Milton, offering leniency on dyed diesel fuel penalties and extending various tax deadlines for individuals and businesses across Florida.
Hurricane Milton struck Siesta Key, Florida, on Oct. 9 as a Category 3 storm, causing widespread destruction. The storm generated more than a dozen tornados, claimed at least 17 lives, and left millions without power as it swept across the state.
