Charities perform a variety of valuable services in our society. Many are facing increases in costs and demands and decreases in funding. To meet these financial challenges, charities are asking for larger contributions from more donors - and they're asking more often than they used to, often using telemarketing and direct mail solicitations to raise funds for their causes, and often directing their pitches to older consumers. In fact, AARP research shows that Americans aged 65 and older receive more telephone and mail solicitations for charitable donations than any other age group. Fraudsters try to take advantage of this population on the theory that older adults may be more trusting and polite toward strangers, and that they're more likely to be home during the day to receive phone calls.
Chances are you're in a good position to determine whether an older person you care for or about is vulnerable to, or has been victimized by, a charity scam. Here are some clues:
If you find that the person you care for or about is a victim of fraud, carefully explain what has happened and that he or she is not at fault. Help the person file a complaint with the appropriate authorities. By filing a complaint, you may be helping stop the fraud.
Donors should avoid any charity or fund-raiser that:
Consider the following precautions to ensure that your donation dollars benefit the people and organizations you want to help. They're good practices whether you're contacted by an organization's employees, volunteers or professional fund-raisers, soliciting donations by phone, mail or in person.
You can help protect the person you care for or about by helping to locate legitimate charities. These organizations can be good sources of free information about the charities you'd like to support.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
4200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 800
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 276-0100
www.give.org
American Institute of Philanthropy
3450 N. Lake Shore Dr. Suite 2802 E
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 529-2300
www.charitywatch.org
Charity Navigator
1200 MacArthur Blvd.
Mahwah, NJ 07430
(201) 818-1288
www.charitynavigator.org
GuideStar
427 Scotland Street
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757) 229-4631
www.guidestar.org
If you believe an organization may not be operating for charitable purposes or is making misleading solicitations, contact your state Attorney General, your local consumer protection office or the Federal Trade Commission
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.