SAR Fundraising Scam

[Off_White]

Owning a small business, I sometimes receive solictations for charitable donations. The other day, the Washington Search & Rescue Support Council called looking for money, and as business is doing alright so far this year, I told them to send me some info and a form. Something about seeing the title in print made my scamdar tingle, and I was thinking to PM Freeman on this site to check these people out. Instead, I opted for a simple websearch which turned up this link

 

Essentially, this is one of those fundraising groups that keeps the majority of the funds for itself (for "administrative" purposes) and doesn't do anything for what you think it does. Law enforcement/fire department fundraising is a notorious category for this jive.

 

Anyway, having almost fallen for it, I thought I'd bring up the topic.

[mec]

thanks bro.

 

There are way too many 'non-profits' out there that are really in it for themselves. choose who you give your money too wisely.

[Freeman]

good catch, I hadn't heard of these folks. It is hard enough for legit search and rescue groups to fund themselves without this kind of sillyness

[sobo]

My sentiments exactly, Freeman. I alerted our SAR deputy and our unit's board and general membership to be on the lookout for this shite.

[DirtyHarry]

Essentially, this is one of those fundraising groups that keeps the majority of the funds for itself (for "administrative" purposes) and doesn't do anything for what you think it does.

 

Sounds like "Climbers for Kerry," except their administrative purposes = beer party.

[Divot]

Damn!