Answered this and it was a live person, claiming to be from the "South Carolina Firefighters" fund (SC). Very friendly demeanor. Said they were soliciting money for firefighters in various areas of the state. After asking whether there is a firehouse we can donate to in person, they said not but they assured they only send a packet of information in the mail and also noted that the money not only goes to firefighters but to children who are burn victims so they can have a more normal life. When we said we don't donate over the phone, the person said, if anyone solicited your personal information over the phone I would hang up on them. So since it sounded like they would just send a packet to our mail address, we thought it would be okay but then the solicitor said, he is mandated to acquire a pledge amount to proceed, silver, gold, platinum etc. When we stated we didn't yet know how much to give until we see the information in the mail, he said, well I can just put you down for the minimum pledge of $35 and you can change it later. When we said, we don't mind receiving the info but don't want to pledge, he said..okay well thank you for your time and hung up. We looked up the claimed foundation name and apparently it is on a list by the attorney general of "scrooges" who spend less than 24% of their donations on the actual charity. Don't know if this number is used by other such claimed organizations but I know I will not donate to anyone who requires a pledge first. It's a shame if this is not legitimate and if they do not do things the right way. Prevents people from giving to those actual organizations who could use the money
Answered this and it was a live person, claiming to be from the "South Carolina Firefighters" fund (SC). Very friendly demeanor. Said they were soliciting money for firefighters in various areas of the state. After asking whether there is a firehouse we can donate to in person, they said not but they assured they only send a packet of information in the mail and also noted that the money not only goes to firefighters but to children who are burn victims so they can have a more normal life. When we said we don't donate over the phone, the person said, if anyone solicited your personal information over the phone I would hang up on them. So since it sounded like they would just send a packet to our mail address, we thought it would be okay but then the solicitor said, he is mandated to acquire a pledge amount to proceed, silver, gold, platinum etc. When we stated we didn't yet know how much to give until we see the information in the mail, he said, well I can just put you down for the minimum pledge of $35 and you can change it later. When we said, we don't mind receiving the info but don't want to pledge, he said..okay well thank you for your time and hung up. We looked up the claimed foundation name and apparently it is on a list by the attorney general of "scrooges" who spend less than 24% of their donations on the actual charity. Don't know if this number is used by other such claimed organizations but I know I will not donate to anyone who requires a pledge first. It's a shame if this is not legitimate and if they do not do things the right way. Prevents people from giving to those actual organizations who could use the money
Caller type: Fundraiser
Company: South Carolina Firefighters Fund
Number: 803-295-5963