Tax Scams Target Florida Hurricane Victims

The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season has left a lasting impression on many Florida residents. Communities along the Gulf Coast were hit with drenching rain, heavy winds, and high storm surges, first from Hurricane Debby in August, then Helene in late September, followed by Hurricane Milton just two weeks later.

As residents are busy making needed repairs, scammers are a common problem. Florida tax attorney Ronald Cutler is a Certified Public Accountant and a former FBI Special Agent who investigated tax cases. With over 50 years of experience protecting clients, he explains tax scams targeting hurricane victims and tips to prevent additional losses.

Hurricane Victims Need To Remain Alert For Scammers

Hurricanes are a fact of life for Florida residents. However, the 2024 hurricane season still came as a shock. For people along the Gulf Coast, three storms had direct impacts. People across the state suffered as well due to tornadoes and flooding.

According to an October 24 National Public Radio report, damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton alone is estimated to add up to tens of billions of dollars. Non-profit groups and local, state, and federal agencies are helping the hardest-hit victims, but others have made them a target.

Sadly, any disaster will likely bring out scammers, who capitalize on other people’s problems to make themselves a tidy profit. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warns people in affected areas to be alert for fraudsters and typical schemes:

• Falsely representing officials and obtaining sensitive personal information for the purpose of identity theft;
• Using your name, address, Social Security number, and other identifying information to file fraudulent hurricane relief fund claims;
• Posing as local or state officials and offering inspections for a fee;
• Posing as construction crews and requiring upfront payments for repairs, saying insurers will reimburse you;
• Unscrupulous tax preparers and other scammers offering early refunds, advance tax credits, and other payments.

Protecting Yourself Against Hurricane Scammers 

Criminals typically increase fraudulent activities when disasters happen. In terms of tax scams, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) claims tens of millions of people are targeted by scammers throughout each year.

Common tax scams in Florida include identity theft, tax refund theft, and solicitation of phony tax payments. Being the victim of a tax scam is devastating, especially if you are already dealing with the fallout of hurricanes or other catastrophes. To protect yourself, the IRS advises the following precautions:

• Keep your Social Security number and other taxpayer information private;
• Be wary if something appears too good to be true, including offers of big tax paydays or elimination of existing tax debts;
• Be alert for charity imposters who fraudulently solicit funds in exchange for large tax credits.

Contact Our Florida Tax Attorney Today

Ronald Cutler, P.A. has over 50 years of experience serving clients in Florida and across the U.S.  As a licensed Florida tax attorney, C.P.A., and a former FBI Special Agent investigating tax cases, he has the legal knowledge and skills needed to protect your rights. To schedule a consultation, contact our Florida tax attorney today.

Sources:

npr.org/2024/10/24/nx-s1-5161587/damage-from-helene-and-milton-could-cost-tens-of-billions-of-dollars-to-fix

fema.gov/press-release/20241014/be-alert-fraud-after-florida-hurricanes

irs.gov/help/tax-scams/recognize-tax-scams-and-fraud