topic Re: Another, Is This A Scam in Electronics

Another, Is This A Scam

Jordan2 — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 19:25:33 GMT

My mother is elderly and feels the need to answer every phone call even though she has caller ID ( some people who call her the number doesn't come up with a name). Anyway she gets calls asking her to donate to the police. My mother doesn't know how to get rid of a call, I tell her to just hang up. She doesn't want to be rude! They say they will send her material in the mail which never comes. Do you think that these calls soliciting money for the police are on the up and up?

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

Karnerblue — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 19:36:29 GMT

We used to get them from the State Police Benevolent Assoc. I finally called them and they said they never, ever solicit money over the phone.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

ChynnaBlue — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 20:08:37 GMT

Yes and no. The calls are usually legit, but they are made by agencies paid to collect money and almost none of the money goes to the police.

If I get a call like that, I always ask what percentage of the donation goes to the police. They are required by law to tell you IF you ask and won't tell you if you do not ask. I think the last time I asked it was under 30%. For some it can be closer to 10% of the donation making it to the actual group in need while the majority goes to overhead. I always decline those police society charities.

You might want to make your mother a list of good organizations and tell her to only say yes to the ones on the good list. If she gets a call from anyone else, she can write the name down and NOT give them any money until someone checks them out. Charity Navigator is the best resource to find out which charities are legit and use their donations wisely.

Here's a list of some of the WORST charities, which may also help you out: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/08/20/1216963/-America-s-50-Worst-Charities

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

millieshops — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 20:25:59 GMT

This elderly lady says it's not rude to hang up on anyone calling to solicit money - unless I asked them to call. And I haven't changed my opinion on that for the 50+ years since I left off living in my parents' home!

I'd hang up in mid-sentence even with out so much as a goodbye.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

ciao_bella — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 21:04:09 GMT

Before hanging up tell them to take your number off their call list; then HANG UP! (By law, they must remove your phone number off their call list, if you tell them to do so)

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

Jordan2 — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 22:16:22 GMT

Thanks to all for the replies!

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

ROMARY — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 22:19:10 GMT

Your dear mom probably shouldn't give these telemarketers her home address. If she wants to donate to her local police department for various youth and other projects, I'd visit them, and ask if they accept donations, etc.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

Jordan2 — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 22:43:03 GMT

@ROMARY wrote:
Your dear mom probably shouldn't give these telemarketers her home address. If she wants to donate to her local police department for various youth and other projects, I'd visit them, and ask if they accept donations, etc.

No she didn't give them her address. She is with it enough to know that's not a good idea!

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

kermiefrog — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 22:54:33 GMT

ChynnaBlue - Thanks for this list!

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

depglass — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 23:05:04 GMT

I believe these marketing outfits make money only if you give directly to them with your credit card. They don't give a rip if the so called charity gets a dime. They don't want to mail you anything or take your email. I just tell them I don't give my credit card to ANYONE on the phone and to email me. They never even bother asking my email, it just shuts them up.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

Cats3000 — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 23:15:46 GMT

I wouldn't deal with those phone calls. I let my answering machine do the work for me.

Yes, I believe they are scams. If I want to make a contribution to my local PD, I'll go the headquarters building and give them some money.

These calls target elderly people for the very reason you gave. The elderly came from a generation where it was rude not to answer and talk to someone. The elderly can be very trusting of the wrong people. That's why they're the target of scams.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

hckynutjohn — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 23:28:14 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
My mother is elderly and feels the need to answer every phone call even though she has caller ID ( some people who call her the number doesn't come up with a name). Anyway she gets calls asking her to donate to the police. My mother doesn't know how to get rid of a call, I tell her to just hang up. She doesn't want to be rude! They say they will send her material in the mail which never comes. Do you think that these calls soliciting money for the police are on the up and up?

Jordan2,

Give you mother a nice gift called "PRO Call Blocker by HQTelecom", and it will take care of this problem for her. She doesn't even have to answer the phone, just hit "block call/ok", and that number will never ring again.

This particuar device can hold up to 1,500 numbers and 10 area codes all for $39. Now I like playing games with these types of callers or I would consider getting one myself.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

thisbe — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 00:27:16 GMT

Many of these calls are scams and/or annoying robo calls. Go to nomorobo.com and sign up your mother's phone number to end such calls.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

fortune — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 00:30:21 GMT

Hmmmmm. I think I'll call people on the phone and ask them for money. Beats working!!

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

Bookbabe — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 00:32:08 GMT

I guess I am considered elderly (ugh) and I do not answer if I do not know the number showing up. But when I slip and do answer I just say "I'm not interested, thank you" and hang up.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

Jordan2 — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 01:06:04 GMT

@thisbe wrote:
Many of these calls are scams and/or annoying robo calls. Go to nomorobo.com and sign up your mother's phone number to end such calls.

Does this really help? She is on the no call registry but still gets calls from charities and solicitors.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

Kachina624 — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 02:34:39 GMT

@ciao_bella wrote:
Before hanging up tell them to take your number off their call list; then HANG UP! (By law, they must remove your phone number off their call list, if you tell them to do so)

And what happens if they don't comply with your request? Nothing.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

terriebear — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 06:26:10 GMT

We finally took out my mother in laws regular phone and bought her a Jitterbug phone, which is recommended for the elderly. She too was making a lot of donations on the phone. With this new phone, solictors did not have her new number and the donations stopped. It was a win win for her and for us as a family.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

Nuttmeg — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 06:42:08 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
@thisbe wrote:
Many of these calls are scams and/or annoying robo calls. Go to nomorobo.com and sign up your mother's phone number to end such calls.
Does this really help? She is on the no call registry but still gets calls from charities and solicitors.

Does not work with wireless or landline phone calls.

Re: Another, Is This A Scam

RespectLife — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:09:44 GMT

I feel for you in this situation. We went through the same thing.

There isn't a NO CALL list on the planet that will stop it. We changed mom to unlisted and that doesn't help robo calls.

You CAN'T beat them! No matter how many times we told mom not to answer, not to talk...it didn't help. She pledged and promised and sometimes gave out her credit card number...but told them not to charge her until she talked to me....Oh boy!

My best advice is to MONITER her checking accounts and credit card statements. Be looking for transactions to these so called charities. The Police themselves will not phone solicite however, there ARE groups that call themselves Police sounding names in order to scam us.

I had taken over my mom's bill paying and checking account. However, she did have and use a credit card.

The American Cancer Society kept charging her Discover $25/month saying she approved a continual donation. She says she didn't. I disputed it w/ Discover and she was credited back every penny and the ACS called and apoligized since they use an OUTSIDE marketing firm.

My mom lived in a time when ppl could be trusted. She used to buy light bulbs, cleaning fluids and other stuff from a man over the phone in the old days! They were always delivered as promised!

She doesn't understand this day and age.