The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert about possible fake charity scams emerging due to severe flooding this month in South Carolina and neighboring states.
"When making donations to assist flood victims in South Carolina and elsewhere, taxpayers should take steps to ensure their hard-earned money goes to legitimate and currently eligible charities,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “IRS.gov has the tools taxpayers need to check out the status of charitable organizations.”
Following major disasters, it is common for scam artists to impersonate charities to get money or private information from well-intentioned taxpayers.
Such fraudulent schemes may involve contact by telephone, social media, email or in-person solicitations.
http://www.irs.gov/uac/News-Releases-for-Current-Month
