I used to get calls from southern-talking good old boys about contributing to a fund for my state police (injured officers, widows & orphans, etc.) I told them to send me info and IF THEY WERE LEGIT after checking them out I would contribute. They were real aggressive to get their money NOW and I stood my ground on my offer. I got their package and checked them out. This telemarketing firm was based in Atlanta. They take 80% off the top, then send the remaining 20% to other organizations (who take their cut) before a penny goes to the cause. So of course I sent them no money. I got a very aggressive "You don't keep your word" follow-up call, which is a different story. Suffice it to say that even if the cause is legit, you're better off finding an organization to give to directly rather than have the telemarketing firm take over 3/4 of the money.
I recently made a small contribution to this forum site. I have paid for a few peoples purchases over the years. I stopped giving to certain organizations when they appeared on the news as fraudulent. I donate items to Salvation Army as I worked with them in office until pandemic. Also donate to Goodwill. I do not donate to anything over the phone or that comes thru the mail. You just have to be careful with whom you donate .
@John Brunner , I usually don't even answer the phone if the caller ID is not a number a recognize. But I can see I've ignored calls for fundraisers recently for autism, breast cancer, a college I never attended, police, and fire. The last two make me laugh when the number doesn't even have a local area code. Got 4 calls just today -- before lunch! It's ridiculous.
We donate to our local food bank and to St. Jude's who took such wonderful care of my godchild in her battle with leukemia. She stayed in remission long enough to find a husband and have a baby girl. We are all blessed that she lived long enough to find love and leave a part of herself behind.
Almost every day: 1-I qualify for special credit card rates because of some govenrment program. 2-Vehicle Maintenance Warranty. I resent paying my money to have a telemarketing device strapped to my hip.