I love all the doped up fake comments. Believe me when I say that these scammers just turn the donations you give at the door into percocets and oxycontin. You can see it by how they write.
Too bad things are changing for them now.
This guy called my parents. They said maybe, but the guy showed up at their house anyways this morning. They didn't answer. He called back, angry that they "promised $20". He will probably show back up at their house in the morning. I'm thinking it's time to call the cops if he shows up...
He called tonight, at 8:59pm said he was with the firefighters and wanted a donation. I asked him to send me something in writing, he said they did not do that. He said this is for their annual boot collection. (But instead of standing on the street corner), and he wanted to come to my house. Yeah right! Told him I was not interested and hung up.
This guy just called me claiming to be soliciting donations for the Montgomery County Firefighters safety drive. He said that firefighters would be coming by my neighborhood tomorrow and collecting checks door-to-door. He then asked that I leave my donation check made out to Mongtomery County Firefighters under my doormat and write "for deposit only" on the back. I said why don't I just mail the check in and he said that it's too expensive to mail each donor a receipt back. Something just didn't jive.
The boot shakers want *donors* to pre-endorse their checks? Yeah, that won't be happening.
Things to consider from the Federal Trade Commission when a "hero charity" tries to bully your wallet open ....
Fundraisers Calling on Behalf of Police and Firefighters
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0085-fun ... nd-firefighters
[excerpt] Simply having the words “police” or “firefighter” in an organization’s name doesn’t mean police or firefighters are members of the group. Just because an organization claims it has local ties or works with local police or firefighters doesn’t mean contributions will be used locally or for public safety.
Donating to Public Safety Fundraisers
http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus31-donating-public-safety-fundraisers
[excerpt] Most police and fire departments are funded by your tax dollars. However, they may ask you to contribute to their professional associations or labor unions at local, state, or national levels. These groups typically use paid fundraisers to solicit donations. Be cautious: simply having the words ''police'' or ''firefighter'' in an organization’s name doesn’t mean police or firefighters are members of the group — or benefit from it. Call your local police or fire department to verify any fundraiser’s claims.
Before Giving to a Charity
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0074-giving-charity
What's more, always remember that "nonprofit" is a tax category, not a reflection of where money goes. You are likely to find that most if not all charity calls are placed by a commercial fundraiser, such as Associated Community Services, Dial America, Donor Care Center, Donor Services Group, Harris Direct, Horizon Marketing, InfoCision, Insight Teleservices, MDS, and TeleFund. These companies typically swallow half or more of collected funds. What's left can often funnel straight to the salaries and overhead of their "charity" client executives, leaving pennies for the people you're told your dollars benefit. That, of course, assumes the charity is not simply a pure fraud.
As commercial entities, hired call centers are expected to honor an internal no-call list and add any number upon request. Break that order, the FTC declares, and ''the telemarketer may be subject to a fine of up to $16,000.'' They are also covered to a point by other regulations for telepests, so you can report abandoned calls, canned calls to mobile phones, and so on.
In a comment from Nov 2012 linked below, find the simple steps I took to rid myself of a major pain boiler room by politely rubbing its face in federal laws. You will note that I never rely on verbal cease-communication demands.
http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-914-294-2543/7#p480457181536419195