How To Respond to a Professional Solicitor by Phone?
According to state law, the caller must disclose the following facts:
* The name of the professional solicitor (as on file with the Attorney General’s Office).
* The name and address of the charity that will receive the donation.
* The specific charitable purpose for which the donation will be used.
Warning signs to look for when deciding to make a donation:
* The caller is hesitant to answer any of your questions.
* High pressure tactics are used.
* The name of the charity sounds similar to a well-known national charity.
* Caller requests that your check be made payable to an individual rather than the charity.
* You are “guaranteed to win a prize” if you make a donation.
* The caller offers to have a courier immediately pick up the donation from you instead of waiting to receive it through the mail.
Where can I get more information on charitable organizations and professional solicitors?
* Call the charity directly and request brochures and financial reports.
* Call your local Better Business Bureau. (Cleveland 216-241-7678;)
* Contact Attorney General Charitable Foundations Section or file a complaint on their website (Search www.ohio.gov)
The hotline number is 1-800-282-0515 or write to: Ohio Attorney General
Charitable Foundations Section, 101 East Town Street, Columbus, Ohio,
43215-5148.
**Information provided by the Ohio Attorney General's Office
Copyright NEOCH and the Homeless Grapevine published June 1996-July 1996 Issue 16