The Internal Revenue Service is joining international organizations and other regulators in highlighting Charity Fraud Awareness Week, Oct. 18-22.
The campaign is run by a partnership of charities, regulators, law enforcers and other not-for-profit stakeholders from across the world. The purpose of the week is to raise awareness of fraud and cybercrime affecting organizations and to create a safe space for charities and their supporters to talk about fraud and share good practice.
According to the Fraud Advisory Panel, a UK-based organization leading the effort, cybercrime is on the rise, exacerbated by the pandemic, including attacks on charities, their supporters and beneficiaries. It estimates that the average charitable organization will lose 5% of its revenue to fraud each year. The IRS is a partner in Charity Fraud Awareness Week as part of its ongoing commitment to fight fraud against charities, businesses and individuals.
In addition to cybercrime targeting charities, criminals who create fake charities are also a problem. Fake charities are once again part of the IRS’s “Dirty Dozen” tax scams for 2021. Taxpayers can find legitimate and qualified charities with the Tax Exempt Organization Search tool on IRS.gov.
“We especially advise taxpayers to be on the lookout for scammers who set up fake organizations to take advantage of the public’s generosity,” said IRS Director of Exempt Organizations and Government Entities Rob Malone. “They take advantage of…
