Scams Come in Many Flavors. Some Might Really Appeal to You!

Some of the political solicitations for money that one
Homestead resident received so far in 2012

Phone calls, e-mails and letters in the mail.  All three bring needed information, greetings from friends and family and requests for money.  Recently a Homestead Village resident asked me to review her mail because there were so many requests for money.  In the stack of official looking documents were many, many requests for donations from organizations that appear to be reputable but all wanted the same thing – hundreds of dollars to help “them” protect “us” from the evil politicians on the other side.  This is not a Republican or Democrat, Liberal or Conservative problem.  Whenever people have passionate feelings about a topic, entrepreneurs find a way to make money on it.

It is not just politics though; religious organizations, animal rights and environmental groups and nearly every other social issue attract questionable groups that solicit money allegedly for the cause.  What should you do?  Here are some suggested responses to the avalanche of requests for donations.

Just say NO to any organization that seeks you out for money.  The sad truth is that once you give money to a cause, that organization may sell your personal information, allowing a plethora of copycats to solicit you as well.  If you are passionate about a cause, you should seek out a reputable organization or two and give to them exclusively. 

Throw away, delete or hang up on any request for money that you did not initiate.  These requests for money use passionate language and create a sense of urgency designed to cause you to write a check.  You must resist these sophisticated schemes.  Only give money to organizations that you have sought out and confirmed their integrity.  Any money sent to an unknown organization may end up in someone’s personal bank account and do nothing for the cause you are passionate about.

In other words, check writer beware!