Published in the Pawtucket Times on October 1, 2001

Following on the heels of last month’s deadly terrorist attacks on the World trad towers and the Pentagon, AARP has issued a warning to seniors to watch out for scam artists seeking to make a fast buck on the horrific national tragedy.

The Washington, DC-based senior watchdog group urges older persons to be very cautious when responding to charitable solicitations. “In this time, we need to be alert to stop those who would divert charitable donations away from those who have been victimized by the tragedy in New York and Washington, DC., states Kathleen S. Connell, AARP’s Rhode Island Executive Director.

Charities have historically targeted seniors, Connell says, making seniors especially vulnerable to scam artists.  AARP research shows that, even in ordinary times, Americans age 65 and older receive more telephone and mail solicitations for charitable donations than any other age group. “Older Americans may become particularly receptive to appeals that benefit police and firefighters who were victims of the recent terrorist attacks,” Connell says.

According to AARP experts, charity scams may take various forms, but certain elements can be warning sign. Red flags indicating the signs of a scam include: the use of a similar sounding name that suggests a well-know charity; a request for your credit card number or cash; an offer to send someone to pick up your contribution; and failure of the solicitor to explain the charity’s administrative costs and programs.

Connell recommends that donations be given to recognized organizations such as the Red Fross or Salvation Army or any charitable groups that the giver is familiar with.

Are scam artists targeting Rhode Island seniors using the backdrop of a national tragedy for fraudulent charity appeals?  No, says Connell.  She is unaware of any scams in Rhode Island being directed specifically at seniors. “It appears that the public relations campaigns raising the visibility of telephone scams have been successful and seniors are being more than careful when making donations.

Jim Martin, spokesperson for the state Attorney General’s Office told All About Seniors, “There is no substantial evidence of any scam artists collecting money under the guise of a charity purporting to assist the victims of the Sept. 11^th tragedy.”  If this occurred, he says, State Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse would not hesitate to use any means at his disposal to stop it and hold those who do it accountable.”

State charity regulator David Briden, of the Department of Business Regulation, also is not aware of any charity scams sweeping through the Ocean State targeting seniors.

Briden states that hundreds of charities raising money across the nation, soliciting funds for the victims of the terrorist attacks, his staff is attempting to monitor their efforts.

Briden urges seniors to take precautions when making a donation to charitable causes.  Write a check instead of using cash, making out the check to the organization. “Never give out your credit card number, Social Security number or any other personal information over the phone,” he says.

Weeks after the terrorist attack, contributions are pouring into the American Red Cross of Rhode Island. Individual and group contributions, from the Boy Scouts, neighborhood children who banded together to raise funds, to donate received from a growing number of major corporations, like Textron, Inc., and MetLife, have raised nearly $ 1 million for relief efforts, states Sara Bilossky, the group’s communication director.

Even with state regulators acknowledging little reporting of scam operations in Rhode Island, Bilossky is aware of a few callers who have contacted her agency attempting to determine if solicitation calls, they have received on behalf of the American Red Cross were really legitimate. But these calls quickly tapered off, she said.  Any donation to the American Red Cross can either be delivered directly to the nonprofit agency or mailed, she recommended, suggesting that donation checks to be made out directly to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.”

Hundreds of millions of dollars have ben raised nationwide by charities for the victims of the terrorist attacks and their families. It is the donor’s responsibility to make sure that his or her hard-earned money gets into the right hands. If solicited, always ask about the group’s fund-raising goals, find out how the collected money will be spent and request a list of the board of directors.  Does the group have written materials? Give smartly and generously.

For questions concerning charities that have been registered by the State of Rhode Island or to file complaints, call the state’s Department of Business Regulation at 401 222-3948.