The Internal Revenue Service is partnering to fight fraud against charities, businesses and individuals during
Charities lose an estimated 5% of their revenue each year to fraud, according to the Fraud Advisory Panel, a U.K.-based organization that's organized the event that runs this week to discuss fraud and share best practices.
"Unfortunately, natural disasters, like Hurricane Ian, provide an opportunity for charity scammers to take advantage of genuine efforts to help," said Rob Malone, IRS director of Exempt Organizations & Government Entities, in a statement.
Malone also urged donors to verify any charity's tax-exempt status at
The event's website has information to help partners, charities and other tax-exempt organizations and nonprofits find free resources, a fraud pledge for organizations, webinars and other events.
Those encouraged to participate in the week's activities include accountants, auditors and those acting as professional advisors to nonprofits; trustees, staff and volunteers from charities, non-government organizations and nonprofits, as well all organizations that represent the interests of nonprofits; and regulators, law enforcement and policymakers.
Fake charities are part of the IRS's "
