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November 24, 2008

Officials warn of cons seeking donations

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — State officials are warning Oklahomans to be wary of con artists asking them for charitable donations during the Christmas holiday season.

“Oklahomans are known for our giving nature, and con men rely on that generosity to line their own pockets, especially at Christmas time,” Attorney General Drew Edmondson said Monday.

The attorney general’s office is giving tips to holiday givers so they can make sure their money is going to help the needy and not the greedy.

Edmondson said people should watch out for emotional appeals that are short on facts and phony charities that have names similar to legitimate ones.

He said con artists often “use a name that sounds like an organization that you’ve heard of, and they use trumped up examples of injuries or needs that do not really exist. They play on people’s emotions.”

The state official said people should request written information before making a donation and not yield to pressure to give.

Edmondson’s office already has received 66 complaints of charity fraud “and we’re just getting into the season of giving.”

He said some were victims of phony solicitations and others were people who made donations and later found out they had been duped or guessed they had been duped.

Many con artists still use the telephone to seek donations, but are making increasing use of the Internet, Edmondson said.

Bob Spinks, president of the United Way of Central Oklahoma, said it’s important for donors to know where their money is going and how it’s being spent.

“Giving financial contributions during the holiday season is a very kind gesture; unfortunately there are organizations that take advantage of that kindness,” Spinks said. “We encourage donors to contribute to organizations that will show they are accountable and transparent.”

Monday’s announcement is the first in a three-part consumer protection campaign called “Fraud Doesn’t Take a Holiday.”

The effort is designed to educate Oklahomans about common holiday scams and crimes and provide consumers with basic fraud-prevention tips.

The second part deals with crimes that occur during shopping and the third part focuses on computer crime.

Anyone with information about suspected scams are asked to contact the attorney general’s office at (405) 521-3921.

A guide to help people avoid con artists also is available on the AG’s Web site at www.oag.ok.gov.

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