| Preventing Charity Fraud |
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The phone rings; you answer. The caller speaks quickly – it’s urgent that you donate now to a pressing charitable cause. They will even make it easy, and take your credit card number right now. But you have to do it right away, the opportunity to give will only be available for a short time The charity name sounds familiar, but not precise. The caller is practically demanding your donation immediately. They really won’t take no for an answer. It’s an unfortunate reality that, we’re hearing more and more stories of people imitating charities to profit from the generosity of Canadians. These people use many tactics – from door-to-door canvassing to phone solicitation to on-line requests –pretending to represent a legitimate organization raising funds to do good work. Instead, they are pocketing the money and profiting from Canadians desire to help out their community. Not only are these funds being taken from well-meaning Canadians, but the causes they wish to support are also being robbed of needed donations. In a recent study commissioned by Capital One - in partnership with Canadahelps.org and Volunteer Canada - it was found that 18% of Canadians have been a victim or know someone who has been a victim of a fraudster representing a false charity. Here are several tips to make sure you’re giving to the right organization: • Never succumb to high-pressure donation pitches. During Fraud Prevention Month, CanadaHelps.org and Capital One are working together to help Canadians learn more about charity fraud. From March 1 – 31st, they will be hosting an on-line Charity Fraud Awareness Quiz. Those who take the quiz will be automatically entered into a draw to win $20,000 to be donated to a charity of their choice. For more details about the quiz and the contest, visit www.canadahelps.org. Article Author: Owen Charters, Executive Director, Canadahelps.org |
| Last Updated ( Saturday, 06 March 2010 00:35 ) |
