Foundation not soliciting
Recently, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has received several calls from consumers who are being solicited by phone from individuals who claim to be raising funds for the foundation. Since the Make-A-Wish Foundation does not solicit by phone, it is important that residents call 412-471-9474 if they receive such a call.
“The Make-A-Wish foundation does not conduct telephone or door-to-door solicitation. However, we are often confused with organizations that do,” said Judi Stone, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania.
“It is important for the public to ask questions of anyone who is soliciting for a cause.
“Knowing what the organization is about, getting clear and direct answers and understanding of some of the techniques of telephone fraud are ways to avoid donating money to questionable organizations.”
Stone says it is important to be wary of telephone fraud, but to remember that many legitimate organizations use telemarketing to support important and worthwhile causes.
The most effective way to avoid this type of fraud is to think before you commit any resources:
– Don’t be fooled by names that sound impressive or that closely resemble the names of other well-known organizations.
– Don’t allow yourself to be pushed into a hurried decision, and don’t make a donation or purchase that you don’t fully understand.
– Always request written information, by mail, about a charity and details about the organization that is soliciting on it s behalf.
– Don’t provide personal financial information over the phone unless you are absolutely certain the caller has a bona fide need to know.
n?Don’t give cash; always make a contribution by check, payable to the charity, not to an individual.
– Make sure that an organization is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization with the IRS. This ensures that the organization meets all the criteria for a not-for-profit status and, more importantly, the majority of the funds are used to reach the goals of the organization.
– Check out the organization with charity information/watchdog organizations, such as the Council of Better Business Bureaus, the National Charities Information Bureau, or the local Better Business Bureau.
In Pennsylvania, all non-profits must be registered with the Pennsylvania Department of State, which can be reached at 1-800-732-0999.