Updated Nov. 2, 2007 The Internal Revenue Service has issued disaster relief for victims of the Southern California wildfires. The following online resources may also be of help to those who have suffered losses: FAQs for Disaster Victims IRS Publication 547 PDF, Casualties, Disasters and Thefts IRS Publication 584 PDF, Casualty, Disaster and Theft Loss Workbook Ayuda por Desastres Alert A new scam e-mail that appears to be a solicitation from the IRS and the U.S. government for charitable contributions to victims of the recent Southern California wildfires has been making the rounds. A link in the e-mail, when clicked, sends the e-mail recipients to a Web site that looks like the IRS Web site, but isn't. They are then directed to click on a link that opens a donation form that asks for personal and financial information. The scammers can use that information to gain access to the e-mail recipients' financial accounts. The IRS does not send e-mails to taxpayers soliciting contributions to a charitable cause. For more information, see IR-2007-183, IRS Warns of E-Mail Scam Soliciting Donations to California Wildfire Victims.
