Businesses should ask questions of fundraising groups

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Business owners should be cautious before purchasing advertising in publications sponsored by nonprofit organizations. The Better Business Bureau recommends that when responding to fund-raising appeals, business owners should exercise the same judgment used when making any business decision.|ret||ret||tab|

Many community businesses are targeted by con artists who pose as salesmen from out-of-town advertising firms, wanting to sell ads in local calendars, yearbooks or souvenir programs to be given out at circuses or dance shows. A variation of this advertising scam involves deceptive invoices for ads that the businesses never agreed to purchase.|ret||ret||tab|

The BBB suggests business owners understand the conditions of any specialty advertising and ask lots of questions before buying ad space for a charity or nonprofit fund-raiser.|ret||ret||tab|

What is the salesperson's affiliation with the organization?|ret||ret||tab|

Does the salesperson have any information about the organization and the programs the ad space will support?|ret||ret||tab|

Can checks be made out directly to the name of the organization? If not, that is a red flag. Call the BBB for a report on the fund-raising company or charity before writing the check.|ret||ret||tab|

How many copies of the publication will be printed?|ret||ret||tab|

How often will it be published? Is there a charge for the publication?|ret||ret||tab|

Where and when will the publication be distributed?|ret||ret||tab|

Is the full name of the charity or nonprofit organization indicated in the advertisement? Is an address or telephone number provided for those interested in additional information about the charity or the promotional partnership?|ret||ret||tab|

What are company plans for donating to charities this year? How does this opportunity fit into those plans? Are there other charities the company would prefer to support?|ret||ret||tab|

If a salesperson refuses to answer any questions, does not have supporting materials about the charitable organization, or urges immediate action, he or she may be a con artist rather than a legitimate representative of a nonprofit entity.|ret||ret||tab|

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