Beware: Fraudulent "Somerville Police Department Charity" phone calls!

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

Just an FYI and warning to all, we got a call today from someone claiming to be with the SPD asking whether we were interested in joining in their fundraiser. Apparently, we were supposed to write a check, and they would come pick it up. Our bull-sh*t detector went way off the charts, and we told them no way, but decided to email our alderman to give him the heads-up.

He got back to us right away and said that he also got the call, and checked it out with the SPD, who said it wasn't them. So, since I haven't seen anything about this in the Journal or "News", I thought I'd at least put it out on the wire here. FYI, the call shows up on caller ID as "Unknown" which was our first tip-off that it wasn't legitimate.

PS- I'm not sure how to tag this, suggestions welcome!

Comments

Re: Check?

[mjperson.livejournal.com]

That *is* the way the actual police charities work. Leaving checks on the door that they'll pick up...

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

This is certainly how it's been done for the last 7 or so years we've lived here. This year I happened to be home when the guy came by with my tickets to their baseball camp for boys later this summer.

These folks' number did not show up as unknown, and it was several weeks ago.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's some kind of baseball workshop and not a game.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

It's sad to hear this, as this is the way police charities do work. However, is it possible your Alderman was mistaken?

You leave them a check (made out to the Somerville PD or Policeman's Benevolent Association or some such) taped to your front door out of sight, and they leave you the tickets.

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

I guess it is possible that my Alderman is mistaken... and perhaps other people have left checks on their porches for people to pick up, but perhaps it's also true that a third party altogether unconnected with the SPD is selling tickets to something they have no right to do so, and pocketing 75% of the proceeds as a "fee" while serving as an "agent" of the SPD.

The fact of the matter is that this smelled fishy like a lot of charity scams that are 100% fake, or those where the actual charity gets a very small slice of the donation. I work in nonprofit fundraising, and I know that these things thrive on the goodwill of others, and so I wanted to share what I knew.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

I think it is far more likely that your Alderman is simply mistaken or there is some miscommunication.

A major clue would have been who the caller requested that the check be made out to. Without this crucial information, you are simply describing the exact same method that the SPD uses for their fundraiser. And they were calling last week.

Still, I do believe it is important to be vigilant, and appreciate your notice. It is important to protect against a fraudulent police fundraiser, although I must say, that would be an extremely brazen scam (scamming the SPD?).

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

True. I didn't get as far as "who should I make that check out to?" because it was all fishy to me and I generally am in a bad mood when telemarketers of any kind call (I only answer to tell them to take me off their list). Of course, in hindsight, I had all sorts of clever questions in my head to find out how legit it was, but nothing came out at the time.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

Well, the SPD does use this very sketchy approach. I always guessed it hasn't changed from decades ago when it was a different time and it wouldn't be viewed as sketchy. And I agree with those who find it aggressive and annoying as well as doubt the need.

[purpless77.livejournal.com]

I hope they allow girls at their camp. That's not fair if they don't, I knew many girls growing up who played baseball and know a few now.

[ron_newman]

I tagged it as "crime" since it is (allegedly) fraud.

The fake Spare Change guys strikes again!

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

...

Re: The fake Spare Change guys strikes again!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

Wow. He's really stepped it up a notch.

Re: The fake Spare Change guys strikes again!

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

awesome. I wonder if they are fake handwritten tickets...

Re: The fake Spare Change guys strikes again!

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

LOL! Perhaps they are :)

[firstfrost.livejournal.com]

I get calls from a group like this, and it drives me crazy because they always say that they're counting on me to donate like I do every year, and I always say no, I don't donate to you, I have *never* donated to you, and they say yes I have, every year. (I check to see if they mean my housemate, but they always insist that no, they mean me, I am a great donor). It creeps me out.

(I have always assumed that they were legit but really bad at tracking.)

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Personally, I find the whole police fund-raiser thing pretty offensive anyway. I feel that there's too much potential for people to feel as if they have to give or else they won't get proper police protection. I.e. put a check on your door for us, or else next time you call 911 from your home you won't get squat. I know that's not how it really works, but they have too much power and authority for it not to be perceived that way.

[bigrock.livejournal.com]

I donated once, I think it was Somerville Fire. The caller ID was Unknown, but they did leave me tickets for one of their sporting events. I was still weirded out by the whole situation.

I dont get it...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Cops have generally much better benefits than most employees. Why the hell are they asking for money anyway?

Somerville Police Relief Assn. Legal Graft

[1960sdj.livejournal.com]

They're legit. I called the actual Somerville Police number to check. It's what I call legal graft.

I have to remember to stop answering my home phone on weekdays and evenings. They don't leave voicemails, they just prey on those who answer their phones.