No more. I hate to say it, but no more.
For all you legitimate charities out there, you are the big losers. After organizations like MADD have reportedly put 80% or more of the donations they receive towards promoting for more donations … No More!
After a telemarketing ring in Montreal was busted yesterday with over 30 people tied in, I have to say … No More!
I think the BEST way I can help stop telemarketing fraud, and shady charity practices is to stop giving money to anyone who comes to my door, emails me, or telephones me.
When the money from stupid softhearted people like me dries up, the scams will stop.
Here’s a tidbit of information for you:
The Phonebusters Canadian anti-fraud call centre estimates that 500 to 1,000 criminal telemarketing boiler room operations are conducted on any given day in Canada, grossing about $1 billion a year.
I will continue to give to the one charity our family has always given to, and I will probably add a second charity this year, but beyond that, it had better be a good one and it had better be supported by numerous media outlets.
Notice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Give local. To the decent caring people who work their hearts out for good causes in your community.
Maybe even join a Board.
Notice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Hmmmmmm – what is about Montreal (Quebec) that seems to be the origin of so many “scams”. Interesting?
Notice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
While there is a ‘sucker born every minute’ and ‘you can’t cheat an honest man’, it is shameful that these gangs are allowed to operate.
When I get calls, or knocks on the door, I’m pretty straightforward. I just say ‘I’m sorry, I don’t donate over the phone (or at my front door)’. If they persist I just hang up or say ‘sorry’ and close my door.
There are exceptions, I give old clothes to organizations who sell them to Value Village, they call me about four times a year – with my permission.
Otherwise, I donate directly to the charities I know and tell the rest to shove off.
As you say, if everyone gave them a pass, the practice would stop. They cater to greed with phoney prizes for contests people haven’t even entered.
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Notice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
Caveat, you said a mouthful. I give to the Canadian Cancer Society and will add the Heart and Stroke foundation this year. I dropped over 8 garbage bags of clothes the kids grew out of in the Salvation Army box about 4 weeks ago, and I give to a foodbank via my chiropractors drive every year. I also try to keep my eyes open for charities that are tied to hospitals, although this one bothers me because our taxes are supposed to take care of the sick.
The more I think about it, the more I know I give to far more charities than I originally thought.
My wife has stopped answering the phone because of all the telemarketers whom I am honest with and tell them to shove off. The pollsters are the ones I love. I ask them for a consulting fee to answer their questions. The conversations tend to be pretty hilarious until they hang up.
Notice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
I rarely get pollster calls so when I got one the other day, I decided to cooperate…. and I wish I hadn’t bothered. After more than half an hour of trying to decipher her thick accent (filipino, I would say) and her struggling to understand my lack of accent (Canadian, eh?) we finally finished up with the “personal” questions. I’m sure Angus Reid wonders who this 98 year old double-doctorate man with 14 children under the age of 18 and multimillion dollar income is…
Notice: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /var/www/wp-content/plugins/subscribe-to-comments/subscribe-to-comments.php on line 590
If pollsters call me, I always ask for a number and call them back. If they don’t give me a number to call (read: to verify) I say sayonara! Stats Can will let you call them back, so will other reputable pollsters.
Mulder, it’s always a surprise when you realize that you actually give quite a bit to charity, isn’t it?
I give to quite a few regulars, mostly medical, the SPCA and the Sally Ann. Then I have my ‘occasionals’, and I give stuff to Community Assisted Living and the Cerebral Palsy guys which they sell to Value Village.
And I’m supposed to be a curmudgeon lol.
Like you, I kind of resent the hospital drives but I have bought a couple of hospital lottery tickets over the years.