This 828-398-4154 call showed on the ID as Advocate Financial Group or similar. The heavy handed pushy caller asked for me by first name. When I asked who was calling, I was told the Fraternal Order of Police was raising money for ..... As I tried to ask a question, the caller talked over me. I then asked to be sent a document itemizing the percentage of funds raised that went to the police compared to the amount used for fundraising and other non-support activities. The caller then started another rant to which I asked for information. He again talked over my attempt to question him. I hung up. I will call the Consumer Protection Section of our state's Attorney General and file a complaint.
Things to consider from the Federal Trade Commission when a "hero charity" tries to bully or "guilt trip" 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.
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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 can also be spanked for excess call abandonment and calling outside default hours.
Because the amounts collected are rather small, these call centers are quite motivated to repeatedly hassle you. The worst of the industry will "reload" a donor multiple times a year, preferring forgetful and easily confused victims. Most if not all such phone farms assume that your no-call order, when given verbally or by keypress, conveniently expires when a client's campaign ends.
In comments from November 2012 and June 2013 linked below, I've discussed simple steps I took to rid myself of a major pain fundraising boiler room by politely rubbing its face in federal laws. You will note that I never rely on verbal cease-communication demands.
Called at 8:45 pm. Since they have to call on #1 ring tone, we never answer. We only answer people we assign to #2, #3, and #4 ring tones which we assign by category, family, friends, business/other.