Organ donation fundraisng scam?

Be wary of telephone calls asking for cash donations in support of organ donation.

I received a phone call from someone in Colborne, Ontario asking me if I knew anything about telephone solicitation of funds for organ donation. Both the caller and her mother received calls asking them to donate and to give their credit card number. They both asked the caller to send them an information pamphlet before doing anything but they are suspicious anyway.

Another contact reports that the same thing is happening in New Brunswick.

We only hear about these incidents when someone becomes suspicious and reports it. But many citizens are victims without realizing it, especially those who are going through pain and suffering and think they are helping themselves or a loved one who has or needs an organ transplant.

The RCMP has issued the following public announcements about telephone fraud on their web site:

• DO NOT disclose information about your finances, bank accounts or credit cards (not even the credit card expiry date).


• DO NOT be afraid to hang-up the phone.

“Those who feel they may have been victimized by a scam charity are advised to call the PhoneBusters National Call Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

It's a sad fact that unscrupulous people may try to profit from the pain and suffering of others by approaching well-meaning Canadians for donations.

There's no reason to think these sorts of scams will not surface. Those wishing to make charitable donations are advised to do so cautiously.”

For more information go to RCMP Frauds & Scams web site.