FTC warns donors to watch out for veteran charity scams
Veterans Day is Friday, and FOX 26 consumer reporter Heather Sullivan shares some common sense on how to ensure donations to veterans’ charities go to help the military.
HOUSTON – The Federal Trade Commission is urging donors to beware of veteran charity scams, saying they will touch your heart, but grab your wallet.
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Take a look at these names. Would you like to donate to these organizations?
- The American Disabled Veterans Foundation
- Healing Heroes Network
- National Vietnam Veterans Foundation
If you’ve donated to these, you’ve been duped. The FTC sued them for lying.
“I have family members who have been veterans, so this particular issue incenses me,” said Sally Tyler, Charity Review Manager for the Better Business Bureau.
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Tyler recalls a veteran’s charity scam.
“There were paper bags they were picking up. They had information outside of the bag, and the bag was left at your door, and they came with a truck. Unfortunately, the truck went elsewhere. Veterans. It was collected and resold,” Tyler said.
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The FTC says to beware of scammers who post stolen photos of veterans on social media, call or email senders, using names that sound like real veteran charities.
“You don’t want to give money to someone who is just going to take the money and pocket it for themselves,” said FTC attorney Rosario Mendez of the Consumer Protection Bureau. of the FTC.
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” Ask questions. Where is the money going? Who do you think this will benefit? How much of the money you receive goes to this? Tyler suggested.
Mendez describes an organization that the FTC sued.
“I think they told donors that their donations would be used to send care packages to deployed military service members. But 90% of the donations, a lot of the donations, were used to pay the telemarketers instead,” said Mendez.
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And who could forget Help the Vets, Inc.? The FTC alleges it raised $20 million, but 95% went to a man, his fundraising and spending.
Before donating to a charity, search for it on Give.org, Charity Navigator, CharityWatch or GuideStar.
“Organizations that rate charities can help you make decisions because they have information about how the organization uses its money, how much it spends on the cause, etc.,” Mendez said.
MORE SULLIVAN’S INTELLIGENT SENSE
Experts warn you not to donate cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Use a credit card so you can request a refund if you find out it’s a scam.
Learn more at ftc.gov/charity. You can report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
**NOTE** At FOX, we believe our veterans deserve to live with dignity and independence, not on the streets. So join me in making camouflage your cause in support of the Honor US Vets campaign. To donate and learn more about how you can help American veterans end veteran homelessness, scan the QR code on your screen now. And be sure to post on social media in your camouflage with Hashtag Honor US Vets.
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