The Gallatin Police Department is once again warning elderly residents to be wary of fake charity scams being solicited either through the mail or over the phone.
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"It’s the season for giving, but in this time for charity there are those who would take advantage of you," said Chief of Police Mark Richards.
Several people have contacted the Gallatin Police Department over the past few weeks regarding suspected scams. Although there are several legitimate solicitations going on this time of year, the public should be aware that even with legitimate groups your donation may not directly benefit your community.
"I would suggest that if you wish to make a donation to a non-profit organization do it locally with groups such as Toys for Tots, Active Aging Center, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, D.A.R.E., or local school groups such as the Band or Athletic Boosters," said Chief Richards. "This will insure that your donation stays within and directly benefits your community. Remember that anyone regardless of age or education can be the victim of a scam."
The following is some helpful information that may assist you in spotting whether you have been targeted for a scam. Scams often involve offers of free prizes, low-cost vitamins and health care products, and inexpensive vacations.
There are warning signs to these scams. If you hear these "lines" from a telephone salesperson, just say "no thank you," and hang up the telephone:
– "You must act now, or the offer won’t be good."
– "You’ve won a free gift, vacation, or prize." But you have to pay for "postage and handling" or other charges.
– "You must send money, give a credit card or bank account number, or have a check picked up by courier." You may hear this before you have had a chance to consider the offer carefully.
– "You don’t need to check out the company with anyone." The callers say you do not need to speak to anyone, including your family, lawyer, accountant, local Better Business Bureau, or consumer protection agency.
– "You don’t need any written information about the company or its references."
– "You can’t afford to miss this high-profit, no-risk offer."
Tips for Avoiding Telemarketing Fraud: It’s very difficult to get your money back if you’ve been cheated over the telephone. Before you buy anything by telephone, remember:
– Don’t buy from an unfamiliar company. Legitimate businesses understand that you want more information about their company and are happy to comply.
– Always ask for and wait until you receive written material about any offer or charity. If you get brochures about costly investments, ask someone whose financial advice you trust to review them. But beware — not everything written down is true.
– Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local consumer protection agency, Better Business Bureau, state attorney general, the National Fraud Information Center, or other watchdog groups. Unfortunately, not all bad businesses can be identified through these organizations.
– Obtain a salesperson’s name, business identity, telephone number, street address, mailing address, and business license number before you transact business. Some con artists give out false names, telephone numbers, addresses, and business license numbers. Verify the accuracy of these items.
– Before you give money to a charity or make an investment, find out what percentage of the money is paid in commissions and what percentage actually goes to the charity or investment.
– Before you send money, ask yourself a simple question. "What guarantee do I really have that this solicitor will use my money in the manner we agreed upon?"
– Don’t pay in advance for services. Pay services only after they are delivered.
– Be wary of companies that want to send a messenger to your home to pick up money, claiming it is part of their service to you. In reality, they are taking your money without leaving any trace of who they are or where they can be reached.
– Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to make a snap decision.
– Don’t pay for a "free prize." If a caller tells you the payment is for taxes, he or she is violating federal law.
– Before you receive your next sales pitch, decide what your limits are — the kinds of financial information you will and won’t give out on the telephone.
– Be sure to talk over big investments offered by telephone salespeople with a trusted friend, family member, or financial advisor. It’s never rude to wait and think about an offer.
– Never respond to an offer you don’t understand thoroughly.
– Never send money or give out personal information such as credit card numbers and expiration dates, bank account numbers, dates of birth, or social security numbers to unfamiliar companies or unknown persons.
– Be aware that your personal information is often brokered to telemarketers through third parties. If you have been victimized once, be wary of persons who call offering to help you recover your losses for a fee paid in advance.
"We hope that this information will assist the people of Gallatin and the surrounding areas to avoid becoming victims of these scams," said Chief Richards.
If you feel you have been the victim of a scam or need further information you can contact The Gallatin Police Department at (660) 663-3580. Chief Richards Gallatin Police
Here are a few contact numbers and addresses for local watchdog agencies:
Better Business Bureau of Greater Kansas City: Phone: (816) 421-7800; http://kansascity.bbb.org; Email: [email protected]; Fax: (816) 472-5442; or mail to 8080 Ward Parkway, Suite 401, Kansas City Mo., 64114.
The Missouri Attorney General’s "Consumer Protection Hotline" has a toll-free number 1-800-392-8222 to file a consumer complaint or check on the legitimacy of a business or charity. You could also look at the Missouri Attorney General website at http://ago.mo.gov/checkacharity/.
Toys for Tots is sponsored locally by the Gallatin Police and the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the U.S. Marines. Current drop off locations include Pamida, Dollar General, Breadeaux Pizza, Casey’s, and the main office at Lake Viking. Anyone wishing to make a donation can drop off new, unwrapped toys to any of the drop off boxes located in the Gallatin businesses. Businesses wishing to become a drop off point can contact the Gallatin Police Department at 660-663-3580.
You might also want to consider the Access II Second Harvest Food Pantry. Access II Independent Living Center is located just outside Gallatin in the Industrial Park. Call 663-2423 for more information.
Any of the local churches would be great places to donate to charity as they are first in line to provide to the needy in our area. The Gallatin North Missourian prints a full page church directory twice a month. Check last week’s newspaper or look for it next week for a list of phone numbers and addresses of local churches.