OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A federal agency wants to bring attention to scams targeting those that want to help hurricane survivors.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says that fake charities can prey on unsuspecting donors who think they’re donating to hurricane relief funds.

“Many people want to help survivors and their families by donating to charities,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel in a statement released by the federal agency. “Too often, criminals take advantage of would-be donors’ kindness by stealing money and personal information from well-meaning taxpayers. You should never feel pressured by solicitors to immediately give to a charity. It’s important to do the research to verify if they’re authentic first.”

To help verify if a charity is legitimate, the IRS has provided a tool called the Tax Exempt Organization Search. People can check charities’ eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions and verify its legitimacy using this tool.

The IRS added that taxpayers who give money or goods to a charity can claim a deduction if they itemize deductions, but these donations only count if they go to a qualified tax-exempt organization recognized by the IRS.

The federal agency also encourages individuals encountering a fake or suspicious charity to see the FBI’s resources on Charity and Disaster Fraud.