The 112th Precinct Community Council stressed to its members, and the general public, this week that the federal government has raised red flags over possible scams relating to the relief of the victims of the typhoon that killed thousands of people in the Philippines about two weeks ago.
After Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in the Philippines on Nov. 8, bringing with it a barrage of wind and heavy rains that caused flooding and landslides, the rest of the world has watched in horror as the death toll continued to climb and now hovers around 4,000 victims. The island country located in Southeast Asia will long need help, but the Internal Revenue Service is warning residents to make sure they know where their money is going before they give it away.
The IRS issued a statement saying that following disasters, it is common for scam artists to impersonate charities to get money or private information from well-intentioned taxpayers. Such schemes may involve contact by telephone, social media, email, or in-person solicitations.
The IRS said residents should follow these tips: Donate to recognized charities and don’t give out personal financial information to anyone who solicits a contribution.
The IRS website at IRS.gov has a search feature called “exempt organizations select check,” through which individuals may find qualified charities. Legitimate charities may also be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency website at fema.gov.
Taxpayers suspecting disaster-related frauds should visit IRS.gov and search for the keywords, “report phishing.”
