Phony Charity Telemarketing Scams

Fake charities use telemarketing methods as well as email to try and bilk you out of your money by pretending to represent a well-known charitible cause.

No one likes feeling like a jerk. So when telemarketers claiming to represent charities call asking you for a donation it's hard to say no. Telemarketers know this and do everything they can to exploit the situation. Expect to feel guilty, deal with it, and don't be afraid to say no. It's better than being suckered. We're not saying you should be afraid to donate to charities, because they need your money and the causes are real and just. Just make sure you check the charity out first before you make a donation.

Dealing with unsolicited donation request

When making a donation, don't give payment information to telemarketers making unsolicited calls. If you're interested in helping, ask the caller to mail you information on their charity so you can review it first. When you get the materials do some research online to see what you find. The Better Business Bureau is a great place to start. Once you've determined the charity or organization is legitimate, send them your donation.

For example, some phony charity scams are using the name of National Cancer Society to cause confusion with the very real American Cancer Society to obtain your donations or the National Heart Institute to cause confusion with the American Heart Institute. This may sound simple but it diverts millions of dollars every year that might otherwise have gone to the needy and sick.

Don't give in to pressure or hard sell tactics

If you feel pressure to act immediately and without delay, ask the caller for time to think about it first. The harder the pressure to donate, the more suspicious you should be.

Remember that a bonifide charity will be willing to let you take as long as you need to make a decision. Nor will they hesitate to prove they are who they say they claim to be. I never give money to people that solicit as a personal policy but I will, and do, donate directly to charities that I trust either from reputation or investigation.

Related Charity Scam Links