Based on an investigation that included use of undercover investigators who went to work for the telemarketing companies, NY attorney general Andrew Cuomo’s complaints allege the telemarketers
- used aliases and failed to disclose that they were paid fundraisers, to make it seem like the donor was giving directly to the charity,
- change the names of charities so they sounded like well-known charities or causes,
- lied about the programs the charities provided, and
- created the false impression they law enforcement officials.
Having reported raising $16 million in the last three years, on average the fundraisers kept 76% of the money raised, Cuomo further reported.
This news isn’t new. Read my posting about choosing to avoid charities that use paid telemarketers.