"If you don't personally know of the organization seeking the donation, don't respond to their request for a donation," recommends Reno Police Sergeant Jeff Freelove who also cautions that "it's impossible to verify the legitimacy of a so-called charity over the telephone."
Freelove says area residents should try to research soliciting organizations before making any kind of donation commitment. "Ask for the solicitor's full name, formal organization name, telephone number, street address, business address, then search the Internet, call the Better Business Bureau, check the phone book and other sources to verify the information."
Residents need to be aware that often fraudulent solicitations will provide false information, according to Freelove. "Just because information is provided, it should not be taken at face value," Freelove says, "and needs to be verified."
Freelove also suggests area residents ask organizations soliciting donations by phone to mail an information package, including a copy of the organization's IRS tax exempt letter, and thoroughly reviewing those materials before committing to a financial donation. "People responding to phone solicitations have the best intentions," Freelove says, "but most of the time they run the risk of giving money to a non-existent or fraudulent organization, or their donation is sent to an organization that is not based locally and the funds are sent out of state."
Freelove says area residents should simply hang up on solicitors when:
- A phone solicitor tries to rush you into making a decision.
- The caller gets hostile when you ask specific questions and is not willing to provide information on the phone or mail informational materials.
- The solicitor requests a credit card number, bank account number, Social Security number or any other personal information.
- The solicitor requests a money order, cashier's check, wire transfer or personal check to be picked up from your home or work by a "courier."
