More Skunks Surface in Charity / Telemarketing Probe

California’s Office of the Attorney General on May 29 announced lawsuits against 53 individuals, 17 telemarketers and 12 “charities” who purported to be helping police, firefighters and veterans. The California action is part of the Federal Trade Commission’s Operation False Charity.

Based on the California action, each of the following has earned our Charity Skunk Award:

• Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program, and its directors and fundraiser (Rembret, Inc.)
• California Police Youth Charities, and its executive director and fundraisers (National Consultants, Inc. and Public Appeals, Inc.)
• American Association of Police Officers, Police Protective Fund, Inc. and Junior Police Academy (operated by the same group), their officers and fundraisers (including West Coast Advertising, aka Professional Communications Network, and Mark Christiansen, dba Charitable Fundraising Services).
• Association for Firefighters and Paramedics, its president and its fundraisers (Public Awareness LLC, Community Support, Inc. and Courtesy Call, Inc.)
• Association for Police and Sheriffs, Inc., its directors and fundraisers (Public Awareness LLC, and Courtesy Call, Inc.)
• Homeless and Disabled Veterans Corporation and its fundraiser (Almost, Inc.)

California also acted against Coalition of Police and Sheriffs, Disabled Firefighters Fund and American Veterans Relief Foundation — earlier recipients of Charity Skunk Awards.

The complaints overflow with allegations like: fraud, false promises, misuse of donated funds, unfair business prectices, filing false public documents, failure to keep records, deceptive and misleading solicitations, improperly compensating directors and officers, and deceptive and abusive telemarketing practices.

Tips offered to potential donors by the California Attorney General’s Office:

• If you receive an unsolicited call asking for a donation, it is most likely from a paid telemarketer who may keep a substantial part of your donation as payment of fundraising fees.
• Recognize that the words ‘veterans’ or ‘military families’ in an organization’s name don’t necessarily mean that veterans or the families of active-duty personnel will benefit from your donation.
• Donate to charities with a track record and a history. Charities that spring up overnight may disappear just as quickly.
• If you have any doubt about whether you have made a pledge or a contribution, check your records. If you don’t remember making the donation or pledge, resist the pressure to give.
• Check out an organization before donating. Some phony charities use names, seals and logos that look or sound like those of respected, well-established organizations.
• Ask the soliciting charity or the paid fundraiser what percentage of your donation will go towards fundraising expenses and what percentage will go towards the charity’s charitable purpose.
• Do not send or give cash donations. For security and tax record purposes, it is best to pay by check made payable to the charity.
• Ask for a receipt showing the amount of your contribution.
• Be wary of promises of guaranteed sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a contribution. You never have to give a donation to be eligible to win a sweepstakes.