NY Attorney General Seeks to Shut Down 4 Telemarketers: The Attorney General’s office announced Wednesday they intend to shut down four professional telemarketing companies, including two in Rochester, for charity scams.
During an undercover investigation, employees of these companies were observed changing the names of charities so they sounded similar to well-known organizations, creating the impression they were law enforcement officials, lying about the programs charities actually provided, and failing to disclose that they were paid fundraisers.
Although the companies collectively raised $16 million for charity, they kept about 76 percent of the funds.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo filed lawsuits to shut down Caring People Enterprises, Inc. and Marketing Squad, Inc. in Rochester, as well as Stage Door Music Productions, Inc., and Suffolk Productions
Feds, States Target Charity Scams
Bogus telemarketers claim to help police, firefighters, veterans
Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/05/ftc_charity.html#ixzz0NVdJ10Qx
Massachusetts Puts Charity Telemarketers On Hold
Consumers not told fundraisers were pros
States Warn Against Dubious Charities
Attorneys General warn citizens about professional solicitors
December 9, 2009
• More Scam Alerts ...
Consumers have to walk something of a tightrope this time of year. Holidays are always an expensive time, yet many want to support charities and worthwhile causes. But the last thing you want to do is have your contribution line the pockets of the solicitor.
In Oregon, Attorney General John Kroger unveiled a list of Oregon's 20 Worst Charities and offered tips to consumers on how to donate wisely.
"In the middle of a recession, it is more important than ever that generous Oregonians make charitable contributions to organizations that help veterans and others who are in need," Kroger said. "It is critical, however, that people donate wisely. Although many charities do great work, some are little more than scams with good-sounding names but that do little to actually help the people they claim to support."
State law requires charities to file periodic financial reports with the Oregon Department of Justice disclosing how much money the organization raised and how the funds were spent. The Department's Charitable Activities Section has identified 20 organizations (see attached) that spent more than 75 percent of the donations they collected on administrative costs and professional fundraising.
While guidelines issued by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) suggest that charitable organizations should spend at least 65 percent of their funds on charitable programs, every charity on the Department of Justice's list devoted less than 25 percent of their expenditures on charitable program activities.
One organization near the top of the list, Shiloh International Ministries, solicits donations to provide medical necessities and other support to needy children, veterans, and homeless persons. According to the most recent financial filings, the California-based nonprofit spent an average of $1,023,215 per year, 96.35 percent of which went to management and fundraising.
Kentucky concerns
Unscrupulous charity solicitations are not just confined to one area of the country. With double-digit unemployment rates in Kentucky, for example, more Kentucky families are in need of a helping hand this holiday season.
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway says people who give to a charity should give wisely. Unfortunately, he says, there are unscrupulous or even fraudulent charities that prey on the generosity of Kentuckians.
"Every dollar donated to a reputable charity can make a difference in the life of someone who may be struggling to put food on the table or clothe a child," Conway said. "Irresponsible or fraudulent charities not only take advantage of the kindness of hard-working Kentuckians, they deprive those who need our help. Before you decide whether a charity deserves your donation, gather as much information as possible to make sure the charity is not a scam and that your donation reaches someone in need."
Both Kroger and Conway offer these tips for wise holiday giving:
• Donate to charities you know and trust.
• Be cautious of sound-alike charities and solicitors unable to answer questions.
• Always ask what percentage of your dollar goes to the cause.
• Don't be pressured into making a donation.
• Ask if the charity or solicitor is registered with the Office of the Attorney General.
Called me and left no message. Tried to call back and recieved (subscriber unavailable) message. Could have left a message but dont see a point yet.
Thought it was one of many enemys, though reading this makes me think it is as you all suspect, someone is probing for malicious purposes just as they do by leaving or moving something on peoples porches to see if they are home. Hope they dont make the grave mistake of trying to mess with me and mine.
If FCC or police is not help, let's organize ourselves and linch that dude. This is realy anoing and freaky. Is it any way to found the owner name or return address?
Just got a call and recognized that number as one that phoned before; so, I did a search on it. The number is out of Carrollton, TX (75287-7310) and through Southwestern Bell.