That is all it takes to be robbed of a grand or more.
Did you catch the fraud in that pitch AG's and SOS's?
This pitch was a $1000.00 fraud on an 85% deal, meaning that $850.00 dollars out of $1000.00 went to the telemarketer and only $150.00 went to the non profit. Which of course used the money to pay employees of the non-profit, rent, electric, their own telephone bills, travel expenses to conferences and meetings.
Fund raised $1,195,184.00 million dollars
Paid the Fund Raiser $987,732.00 thousand dollars
Only took in from member dues $65,229.00
Paid Officers and Directors $18,200.00
Spent on lobbying $21,332.00
Offices Expenses $9372.00
Accounting $7920.00
Legal $2088.00
Conferences Conventions and Meetings $56,450
Awards $39,120.00
Benefit Claims $27,500.00
Keep in mind that they raised $1,195,184.00 to provide a death benefit FUND for the fireman's families and only doled out $27,500 to pay for all of their member benefits which also include a scholarship for children of members among other things.
The solicitor stated that "most importantly the death benefit fund for the firemen"
You can find a video of an illegal pitch from them at http://www.pfcl.org/ Do not give them a dime, they are scamming money and are not a part of the fire department
The Solicitation of Funds for Charitable Purposes Act - PA
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.p ... 842#disclosures
"Professional solicitor." Any person who is retained for financial or other consideration by a charitable organization to solicit in this Commonwealth contributions for charitable purposes directly or in the form of payment for goods, services or admission to fundraising events, whether such solicitation is performed personally or through his agents, servants or employees or through agents, servants or employees especially employed by or for a charitable organization who are engaged in the solicitation of contributions, the sale of goods or services or the production of fundraising events under the direction of such person, or a person who plans, conducts, manages, carries on, advises, consults, whether directly or indirectly, in connection with the solicitation of contributions, sale of goods or services or the production of fundraising events for or on behalf of any charitable organization, but does not qualify as a professional fundraising counsel within the meaning of this act. A person who is otherwise a professional fundraising counsel shall be deemed a professional solicitor if his compensation is related to the amount of contributions received. A bona fide salaried officer or regular, nontemporary employee of a charitable organization shall not be deemed to be a professional solicitor provided that the individual is not employed or engaged as professional fundraising counsel or as a professional solicitor by any other person.
(7) Keep a record showing the names and addresses of all registered charitable organizations, professional fundraising counsel and professional solicitors.
(a) Contracts with registered groups. —No professional fundraising counsel or professional solicitor shall contract with a charitable organization unless such professional fundraising counsel or professional solicitor is registered with the department. A contract with an unregistered professional fundraising counsel or professional solicitor shall be voidable at the option of the charitable organization.
(d) Misrepresentation. —A charitable organization may not misrepresent its purpose or nature or the purpose or beneficiary of a solicitation. A misrepresentation may be accomplished by words or conduct or failure to disclose a material fact.
(2) Utilizing any unfair or deceptive acts or practices or engaging in any fraudulent conduct which creates a likelihood of confusion or of misunderstanding.
(6) Misrepresenting or misleading anyone in any manner to believe that any other person sponsors, endorses or approves such solicitation or charitable sales promotion when such other person has not given consent in writing to the use of his name for these purposes.
(7) Misrepresenting or misleading anyone in any manner to believe that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits or qualities that they do not have or that a person has a sponsorship, approval, status, affiliation or connection that he does not have.
(9) Representing directly or by implication that a charitable organization will receive an amount greater than the actual net proceeds reasonably estimated to be retained by the charity for its use.
(10) With respect to solicitations by professional solicitors on behalf of law enforcement personnel, firefighters or other persons who protect the public safety, issuing, offering, giving, delivering or distributing any honorary membership cards, courtesy cards or similar cards, or any stickers, emblems, plates or other such items which could be used for display on a motor vehicle.
(3) Impose an administrative fine not to exceed $1,000 for each act or omission which constitutes a violation of this act and an additional penalty, not to exceed $100 for each day during which such violation continues. Registration will be automatically suspended upon final affirmation of an administrative fine until the fine is paid or until the normal expiration date of the registration. No registration shall be renewed until the fine is paid.
(a) Deceit or fraud violation. —Any person who willfully and knowingly violates any provisions of this act with intent to deceive or defraud any charity or individual, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both.
(b) Other violations. —Any other violation of this act shall constitute a misdemeanor of the third degree punishable, upon conviction, by a fine not exceeding $2,500 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
Every person soliciting, collecting or expending contributions for charitable purposes and every officer, director, trustee and employee of any such person concerned with the solicitation, collection or expenditure of such contribution shall be deemed to be a fiduciary and acting in a fiduciary capacity.
Giving money to fake police and fireman charities that cold call you on the phone isn't technically "donating" -- it's called GETTING YOUR MONEY STOLEN BY SCAMMERS.