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NEWS RELEASES
HOUSTON (Dec. 5,
2007) – Texas Children's Hospital is advising Houston residents to
beware of fundraising scams claiming to benefit kids at the
hospital. Texas Children’s has received calls from area residents
who have been approached by adults selling books and magazines
door-to-door. The sellers allege that the purchased publications
will be provided to children at the hospital and that Texas
Children’s will also benefit from a portion of sales.
Some callers
named “Integrity Program” (www.integritypgm.com)
as the organization associated with these solicitations.
"Texas Children's
Hospital does not solicit door-to-door, and we do not operate a
‘magazine for kids’ fundraising program," said John Scales, senior
vice president of Development for Texas Children's Hospital.
The Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) provides additional tips to prevent becoming a
victim of fundraising scams:
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Ask
fundraisers to identity themselves and name the organization for
which they are raising funds.
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Ask how your
contributions will be used. The FTC suggests getting written
information.
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Call the
organization to verify a fundraiser’s claim to be collecting on
that organization’s behalf. If the claim cannot be verified, the
FTC recommends reporting the solicitation to local law
enforcement officials.
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Ask if your
contribution is tax-deductible. Make your check payable to the
official name of the group or charity.
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Avoid cash
gifts.
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Be
suspicious of fundraisers suggesting you’ll receive special
treatment in return for your donation.
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Don’t feel
intimidated about declining to give. The FTC says fundraisers
who use intimidation tactics are likely to be scam artists.
Report the interaction to local law enforcement officials.
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