It's scam time of year, watch for con artists
Lou Marzeles
News Editor
The holidays can all too easily bring out gullibility in us, especially when con artists start shopping around for easy victims. As with legitimate businesses, this is their busy season, too. But help is at hand from experts in identifying holiday scams.
Safety, appropriately enough, begins at home. The best way to keep your money out of harm's way is to consider your own back yard first and foremost.
"We often ask our community to 'Think Local First' when they are considering products or services that they need," says Mindy Blomquist, executive director of the Greater Goldendale Chamber of Commerce. "Why not apply the same thinking to our organizations as well? Many of the groups here in town need volunteers. They are also working on various projects that benefit our community and those projects can always use a boost in funding."
Blomquist adds that local opportunities abound for thinking and acting locally. "If you are interested in seeing what local opportunities there are," she says, "you can visit the 'non-profits' section of the Chamber's Business Directory at www.goldendalechamber.org for a list of the organizations here in the area or contact the Chamber Office." Its number is 541-773-3400.
But if you do stray into less familiar waters, beware. It's important to realize that at times of the year when people give more, there are more people out there ready to take.
"With the holiday season upon us, many good-willed individuals express their generosity by giving to those less fortunate," says Lawrence Loesch, former New York Police Department Deputy Chief and Vice President/General Manager for Allied Barton Security Services. "Unfortunately, that can also create an opportunity for scam artists to take advantage of the kindness of others."
Loesch provides several tips that can help prevent making a con artist's holiday season jollier. These include:
• Look-alike charities-Watch out for charities with similar names to well-known organizations. Some scam artists try to trick people by using names that make them appear to be the same as or comparable to valid charities. Always investigate the organization prior to making a donation. Look at their websites. Many non-profit web addresses end in .org instead of .com.
• Phone scams-Be cautious of charities that contact you over the phone. In some parts of the country, for example, there's a popular scam from solicitors who claim to represent the local police department and related police fundraising organizations. Only legitimate police foundations can accept such donations, and most do not solicit via the telephone. Ask the solicitor for the charity's mailing address so that you can send them a check directly. When in doubt, call the charity yourself and ask them if they're aware of the solicitations being done in their name.
• Know your charity-Many more organizations push for donations during the holidays. Research your charity before making the decision to donate. If they offer you very little information, they may not be legitimate. A legitimate charity will give you information describing its mission, how donations are distributed and proof that your contribution is tax deductible.
• How is your donation used? One of the most important things to consider when making a charitable contribution is how much of your money actually goes to the charitable cause. Most charities are required to register and file annual reports showing how donations are used. You can ask how to find this information at your state or local consumer protection agency.
• Contribution collectors-Individuals who go door-to-door or position themselves in high traffic areas should be carrying proper credentials and identification. These individuals should be knowledgeable about the organization and be able to provide you with informative materials about the charity. Ask for written information and the solicitor's identification to validate the organization. For security and tax record purposes, it's important to pay by check when giving a contribution and write the charity's official name on the check.
• Mail scams-Holiday greetings may not the only thing crowding your mailbox. This time of year, watch for appeals for donations. If you do not recognize the name of a particular charity, you can check out their legitimacy as well as their efficiency with your money at the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance website, www.give.org.
• Email scams-Be skeptical of emails seeking charitable contributions. Many unsolicited messages received through email are fraudulent. Do not respond to these emails as many of them ask you to send money to an off-shore bank account. Additionally, a fraudulent charity email may have an attachment, offering you more information. Be aware, as many times these attachments contain viruses. It is always important that any charity-related email include a link to an authorized website. You should also be skeptical of any charity email or website that requires you to enter you social security number.
• Promised prizes-Be cautious of guaranteed sweepstakes winnings in exchange for your contribution. This may not be the type of holiday gift you are looking for. Fraudulent sweepstake mailers encourage consumers to return the apparent 'winning' entry along with a donation to the charity named in the promotion. The wording in the mailer makes it seem like the recipient is already a winner. Be skeptical if a solicitor thanks you for a contribution you don't remember giving.
• Other options-Instead of donating money to a charity, consider volunteering your time. Contributing your personal time to help others can mean much more than simply writing a check. You can also donate toys, clothing or nonperishable food and make it part of your holiday tradition.
• Adamant demands-Refuse any high-pressure requests for your contribution. Legitimate charities usually don't require people to give at a moment's notice. An established charity will still be willing to accept your donation, even if you take some time to research first.
-Prepared with reports from PR Consulting Group.
County swine flu clinics to be held
The Klickitat County Health Department (KCHD) will be offering two H1N1 virus (or "swine flu") vaccine clinics for those persons meeting the risk criteria and not having access to a health care provider. The first clinic will be held on Dec. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Pioneer Building in White Salmon. The second clinic is in Goldendale and will be held Dec. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Grange hall. There are 500 doses of vaccine available for each clinic date. Additional vaccine will be available for those unable to make the clinic dates. There is no cost for the vaccine. Medical coupons will be accepted. Any questions can be directed to the Health Department by calling (509) 493-3532 or (509) 773-4565.
The at-risk groups include the following:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for infants less than 6 months of age
• Children from six months to 18 years of age
• Young adults age 19-24 years old
• People age 25-64 years who have a medical condition that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications
• Health care workers
Those persons not meeting the above listed risk groups will have an opportunity to receive the vaccine soon. It is anticipated that adequate vaccine will be available for all who want it, once those most at risk of complications have received it.
The H1N1 flu is still circulating. Like the common seasonal flu, H1N1 influenza is a virus that spreads from infected people to others through coughs and sneezes. Common symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, and sometimes trouble breathing, diarrhea and vomiting.
To reduce spread of illness everyone is encouraged to wash their hands often with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes, not touch the eyes, nose, or mouth, and stay away from people who are sick and to stay home when sick.
Medical care is not required if a person has mild flu-like symptoms. If symptoms are more severe (severe cough, sore throat, body aches and feeling very sick), a person should contact or visit their local health care provider.
For up-to-date information about H1N1 flu visit the Klickitat County Health Department's website at www.klickitatcounty.org/Health/.
Additional information can be found at:
• Washington State Department of Health: http://www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu/default.htm;
• US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/index.htm
Marketing effort helps Maryhill Museum of Art increase 2009 attendance
Maryhill Museum of Art has announced that attendance for the 2009 season increased 17 percent over 2008, with nearly 46,000 visitors coming through the door between Mar. 15 and Nov. 15. The American Association of Museums says that anecdotal evidence points to an increase in attendance at museums of all sorts across the nation.
"I think it's indicative of people staying closer to home and exploring their own backyard," says Colleen Schafroth, Maryhill's executive director. "Entertainment-wise, museums offer a great value. For less than the price of a movie ticket, you can learn about regional history, explore a variety of exhibits and take part in a full range of special events and educational programs for children and adults."
New programs at Maryhill Museum of Art also drew record crowds-a Fourth of July family program attracted nearly 1,000 visitors, and the museum's inaugural Northwest Wine Auction was a sell-out.
One factor that may have helped boost Maryhill's attendance is the museum's community-based marketing committee. The committee, comprising members from throughout the Gorge, the Portland metro area, and as far away as Salem, has been focused on forging partnerships, targeted advertising and media outreach to raise awareness of Maryhill as one of the region's must-visit attractions.
David Savinar, a Maryhill board member and co-chair of the museum's marketing committee, says, "Maryhill is one of the Northwest's best kept secrets. With more and more newcomers to the Pacific Northwest every year, our goal is to keep Maryhill's name out there and entice visitors out for the day," he says. "We also want to reach out to folks who may have visited years ago and haven't been back recently. We are lucky to have such a magnificent treasure in our own backyard and want people to come out and enjoy it."
Maryhill Museum of Art is a two-hour drive from Portland and four hours from Seattle. It houses the West Coast's second largest collection of works by Rodin, including bronzes, terra cottas, plaster studies, watercolor sketches and such well-known works as The Thinker.
The museum is open eight months annually, from Mar. 15 to Nov. 15. In 2010 Maryhill Museum of Art will celebrate its 70th anniversary with a full season of special exhibits and programs. |
