The Greater Sudbury Police Service is warning the public to be on the lookout for door-to-door scammers as the holiday season dawns.
GSPS said today it is investigating a number of incidents of what they believe to be cases of door-to-door fraud.
Preying on people’s generosity during the season of giving, scammers, police said, are soliciting donations for various charities, but actually using the money for their own personal gain.
Keep you and your money safe. Here are a few tips from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre on avoiding getting scammed:
Be wary of appeals that tug at your heart strings, especially pleas involving current events.
Ask for written information about the charity, including name, address and telephone number. A legitimate charity or fundraiser will give you information about the charity's mission, how your donation will be used and proof that your contribution is tax deductible.
Ask the solicitor for the registered charitable tax number of the charity. Question any discrepancies. Confirm the charity’s registration information through the Canada Revenue Agency (1-800-267-2384).
Check out the charity's financial information. For many organizations, this information can be found online.
Ask for identification. If the solicitor refuses to tell you or does not have some form or verifiable identification, hang up or close the door and report it to law enforcement officials.
Call the charity. Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name. If not, you may be dealing with a scam artist.
Watch out for similar sounding names. Some phony charities use names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations. If you notice a small difference from the name of the charity you intend to deal with, call the organization to check it out.
Be skeptical if someone thanks you for a pledge you don't remember making. If you have any doubts about whether you have made a pledge or previously contributed to a charity, check your records. Be on the alert for invoices claiming you have made a pledge. Some dishonest solicitors use this approach to get your money.
Refuse high-pressure appeals. Legitimate fundraisers will not push you to make a donation on the spot.
Be wary of charities offering to send a courier or overnight delivery service to collect your donation immediately.
Be wary of guaranteed sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a contribution. According to law, you never have to donate anything to be eligible to win.
