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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    2

    Default Charitable Donation Scam

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: Colorado

    Earlier today, I was approached by a young man who was soliciting on campus for an organization. He described to me that this organization designed a competition to see who could collect the most donations. They would take these donations and give them to charities of the donor's choice. He also emphasized that if I helped him out, he would win this competition and earn a trip to Europe. He also described that I would receive a call from his organization within 24 hours and get my money back mailed to me in check form within the next 3 days because of some tax write off trick. So I thought "why not" and selected a couple of charities to give money to. I was shocked to see the amount of money required to pay to give the donation. I had already filled out the paperwork so I just went ahead with it. I asked for his contact information and he gave me some. I paid the money ($141) IN CASH and we went our separate ways. The paper I filled out only asked for my mailing address, name and number, not my social security number nor my credit card information. I was having cold feet about this donation so I texted the number he gave me and then received a text back saying that I had the wrong number. This only made me more nervous. Is this a scam? Is there such thing as a tax write-off trick that will get my money back to me (he said that Oprah used this trick in her donations)? If it is, where should I go from here? There is definitely security camera evidence of this if it comes down to it. I've been researching scams and have found nothing of this nature, and also most scams usually ask for credit card information when I paid in cash.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Was I Scammed

    Yes, you've been scammed.

    Call the police and report it.

    If you can find the guy you can sue him in small claims court.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    24,521

    Default Re: Was I Scammed

    In fact, it's one of the oldest scams in the book.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Toledo, OH
    Posts
    16,307

    Default Re: Was I Scammed

    Is there such thing as a tax write-off trick that will get my money back to me
    No.

    You have indeed been what my Opa used to call "rooked". You got scammed, and you're unlikely to see that money again.

    In the future, if you want to donate to a charity, do so directly to the charity. Or be a mensch and take a homeless dude out for a hot lunch. Either way, the money would be better spent.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    2

    Default Re: Was I Scammed

    Thanks everyone, I have contacted the authorities and they are investigating the situation. I realize that my money probably won't come back to me, and I'm okay with that as long as this guy is taken care of. The officer did tell me that even if they do get their hands on him with the money, I won't be able to get it back because it isn't fraud unless he forces me to give the money over, and that the only reason they have to investigate the matter is that he is not allowed to solicit money on campus. However, it must be fraud because his solicitation violates the Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act, C.R.S. 6-16-103-105, 6-16-109-111 and 6-1-302. So, shouldn't this be considered fraud? What am I missing? I just want this guy to be punished for ALL of his violations, whether or not I get my money back.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    122

    Default Re: Was I Scammed

    Before you donate anything ask for the Tax ID number and also a form to fill out for tax exemptions purposes for donations. By law any charitable organization must have a form to fill out for the person making the donation to send to the IRS/Tax accountant.

    Secondly the organization must have a physical address and contact information. If i had any doubts I would Google the organization online and call them. If I found out it was legit then I would send the check and make a copy of my check and ask them for the Tax exemption form.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: Charitable Donation Scam

    My personal recommendation and I am sure it may draw fire as others have their pet charities is to make direct donations to your local homeless shelter. You can be assured it is going to assist in feeding or housing the least common denominator of US citizen. Most screen and deny services to convicted criminals.

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