The Oregon Attorney General is challenging the operations of “charities” that seek donations in Oregon but spend little on their missions. A report in The Oregonian focuses on the activities of Shiloh International Ministries, which led the AG’s list of “20 Worst Charities” for 2010. Shiloh International Ministries is based in La Verne, California; its EIN [...]
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The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported last Sunday on the work of Jason Birrittier — charity telemarketing entrepreneur. Jason recently shut down his telemarketing operation (called Public Safety), after a run-in with law enforcement. He denied all allegations. Based in St. Louis, and with contracts with Disabled Firefighters Fund, the Coalition of Police and Sheriffs, [...]
According to the AIP report, CDG telemarketers lied to potential donors about the portion of moneys that would go to charity, and typically turned over not more than 15% of the moneys raised to charity. CDG fundraised for numerous local firefighter, police and veterans charities and also had contracts with several groups that received “F” ratings from AIP. Read the AIP article. Continue reading ““Charity” telemarketer hit with $18.8 million fine” The New York Daily News reports that Andrew Cuomo, NY’s attorney general, has sued a local “charity” called Feed the Hungry over the handling of its car donation program. The suit alleges that less than 2% of the proceeds of the donation program went to helping the homeless. The suit is part of a [...] We here in California are not alone dealing with the sleazy folks who dress themselves up as charities and dial for dollars for causes including veterans, firefighters, police and more. Another one of these groups has now hit Minnesota, according to a story in the Minneapolis – St. Paul StarTribune. See our post in May on the California’s Attorney General’s Office lawsuits against 53 individuals, 17 telemarketers and 12 “charities” who purported to be helping police, firefighters and veterans. Continue reading “Disabled Veterans “Charity” Scam Hits Minnesota” 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:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on May 20 Federal court cases and proposed settlement orders involving
alleging that all three organizations, based at the same address in Santa Ana, CA, were created almost entirely to provide profits for the individual defendants and the for-profit fundraisers they hire. In recognition of their work, we’ve awarded the organizations and individual defendants our not-so-coveted Charity Skunk Award. Continue reading “Charity Skunk Awards: Veterans, Police and Firefighter Sham Nonprofits” Recently I learned of a charitable scam that had been operating in my local area (as well as other parts of the U.S.) – National Foundation of America (NFOA). In recognition of its work, we’ve awarded NFOA our not-so-coveted Charity Skunk Award. NFOA and several related individuals are now the subject of desist and [...] The U.S. is a very charitable and generous society. Unfortunately, the charitable, generous natures of many makes them the target of the unscrupulous — who often disguise themselves to look like charitable or humanitarian causes. These schemers will always be with us. Building on their everyday activities, they seem to be especially active following [...] |
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Copyright © 2012 Edward W. Long | The Smarter Giving Guy | All Rights Reserved |
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The “charity” telemarketing company Civic Development Group has been ordered by the Federal Trade Commission to pay an $18.8 million fine, the largest penalty ever handed down in a consumer protection case — as detailed in the American Institute of Philanthropy’s latest Report. CDG and its owners have now earned our not-so-coveted 