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.
I can be somewhat more blunt. Most if not all charity calls are placed by commercial fundraisers who commit a barely legal form of fraud by turning an alleged charity cause into a profit venture. The alleged emergency responder cause is a popular premise for tugging at wallets by way of heartstrings.
Due to a disclosure mandate in the PATRIOT Act, charity callers must obey a few parts of the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule. Hired call centers for charities are expected to transmit accurate Caller ID, honor an internal no-call list, and add any number upon request. The FTC says that rulebreakers "may be subject to a fine of up to $16,000.'' They can also be spanked for excess call abandonment and calling outside the daily thirteen hours imposed upon sales callers.
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.
this assklown been calling me for like 2-3 years, always diff numbers, same old crap...he expects u 2 listen to his jive speech & give cash, and if you dont, this [***] will call you again and again...and maybe hang-up on you when u answer, like an idiot child...its a game and a scam, because real law enforcement charity wont call and call like this rectal wipe...if u block the number, he will just switch 2 another...again and again and again....probably stalks his women victims
Called and didn't leave message, but after looking her, found it was NC trooper scammer. This is the second call from them this week. Blocked this number too.
Explained it was year anniversary of my father's death today so he wanted to talk to someone else who would be my mother who also has a deathly illness and has been sick in bed for a solid 2 days. I explained if he could mail something I'm sure mother would donate if she could. He wanted from me a GUARENTEE OF AT LEAST 15.00 OR 20.OO I SAID I AM NOT HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD I CANNOT DO THAT.please just mail something. He was the RUDEST MAN IVE EVER DEALT WITH, EVIDENTLY HAS NOT LOST HIS PARENTS OR A SOUL. HOW TOU COULD GET ANY DONATIONS FOR YOU GOOF LUCK. A DISGRACE TO THE TROOPERS OF THE UNITED STATES!
[***] keeps calling even though I requested him not to and I AM on the do not call list. Arrogant, rude caller states he is from the NC Troopers Assoc. In reality he is a scammer. Will block this number and report him to the Do Not Call website.