Check Out Charity Solicitations for Police/Fire/Veterans Groups

6/3/2009

Lexington, KY - They put their lives on the line for us every day…so when police, fire or military veterans groups ask for your help, many of you are happy to give. But be certain your monetary donation is going where you think it is.

It's a shame when con artists use your desire to help law enforcement, fire and veteran related groups to line their own pockets. Your Better Business Bureau gets inquiries every day from consumers who are telephoned by people claiming to represent non-profit groups to help these brave men and women. Some later found they were falsely led to believe the group calling was local. Others learned that very little if any of their donations went to the actual cause.

The Federal Trade Commission and many state agencies recently filed legal actions against some solicitors that called people asking for donations for fire and police related groups…but little or none of the money was going to that cause.

So how can you tell if one of these groups asking for a donation is legitimate?

  • Check out the group with your Better Business Bureau. We have reports on many non-profit organizations.
  • Beware if you are pressured to give before you can research the group.
  • Ask outright what percentage of your donation goes to the cause and how much to the fundraiser
  • Beware the "sound alike" game…some fraudulent collectors use similar sounding names to legitimate organizations.

It also helps to ask for written information. If you are asked to give money but answers to your questions are vague, don't fall for it!

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Be a "Don’t Fall for It!" informant! If you have something to share you believe may be a fraudulent offer or scam, please let the BBB know! Call us at (859) 259-1008 or toll-free, 1-800-866-6668, or email us at info@bluegrass.bbb.org.