Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 85 Fraud Cent$ Toolkit for Seniors Helping Seniors Avoid Fraud FALSE CHARITIES False charities often use names that are very close to the names of legitimate and respected charities. The end of the year is the peak season for charity appeals. It also is the peak season for the false charity appeals. False charities may use pressure or threats to get you to contribute immediately. They may phone to thank you for a pledge you do not remember making, or use a copycat name or a name that might be misleading or deceiving (i.e. a name that is very similar to a legitimate charity). Remember, on an incoming call, a person could be misrepresenting a legitimate charity. Make A Plan For Handling All Charitable Requests Make a plan and stick to it. Decide at the beginning of each year which charities you can afford to donate to and send your cheques directly to their head offices. When approached by other charities, say that you have already donated to charities of your choice for the current year. Indicate whether or not you will consider their appeal the following year. If you will, request that they send you information directly in the mail. You can make out a cheque payable to the charity if you wish once the written information comes to you. What You Can Do About False Charities Never give your personal or financial information to anyone over the phone, at the door, or in an email unless you initiated the call or the meeting or you are confident to whom you are giving the information. Never send financial information by email because it is not secure. Ask the charity to give you their charitable tax number. Contact Revenue Canada at 1-800-267-2384 or go to the charity’s website to determine if the charity is registered. Question any discrepancies between what the charity gives you and what Revenue Canada gives you. Find the charity’s phone number in the phone book and call the charity directly, do not use the number the charity gives you. Ask the charity if they know about, and have authorized, the appeal. Also ask what percentage of your donation they receive (legitimate charities will provide you with this information). Perhaps there is a better way to give where 100% of your donation will reach the charity. If you think the charity is bogus, report it to PhoneBusters. If you are a victim, contact the local police (if applicable) or the local detachment of the RCMP.
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