PR00-007

Date:

April 13, 2000

Sheriff Barrett Warns of Fraudulent Telemarketing Schemes

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Sheriff's Association, Inc., have received numerous inquiries and complaints concerning the solicitation of funds by telephone. Even though it is legal for organizations and associations td solicit by telephone, the sheriffs of Georgia do not endorse fund-raising projects or advertising sales conducted by telephone and do not find it an acceptable practice for any organization representing any law enforcement group or association.

Fraudulent telephone and advertising schemes rip off hundreds of millions of dollars nationwide from unsuspecting businesses and individuals. If you receive a telephone solicitation, there are a number of steps that need to be taken to avoid fraudulent or misleading schemes:

• Ask questions. Honest businesses don't mind questions.

• As the solicitor what percentage of funds raised actually goes to the charity and what goes to fundraising.

• Request a list of the Board of Directors of the organization that the solicitor is representing.

• Do not buy or pledge anything by phone. Ask for the offer or donation request to be mailed to you in writing before you send any money. Be very cautious of anyone using "runners" to pick up contributions who avoid using the United States mail.

• Any reputable organization should be happy to furnish you with a copy of their annual report. Also, ask for a copy of the IRS letter stating that the organization is a 501 (c)3 tax exempt organization.

• If the caller says that they are representing a certain law enforcement group of organization, have them furnish you with the law enforcement agency that is sponsoring the fund-raising and request an address and phone number so that you can verify that endorsement.

• Don't be fooled be friendly sales people. Fraudulent telemarketers are among the best salespeople in the world.