This is certainly a ‘red flag’ indicating that the solicitation is probably not legitimate, as the solicitor is not sanctioned to identify themselves as a member of the Effingham Fire Department.
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office investigates telemarketing fraud. If you feel you have become a victim of fraud, contact the Illinois Attorney General. Many scam artists use a false representation such as a fire or police benevolent organization. There have been many successful prosecutions of these scams. You also have the option to just hang … Continued
If any solicitor offers to come to your house to pick up your cash donation, this should be a ‘red flag’ that it is not a legitimate solicitation. Many scam artists avoid the Federal Mail Fraud laws by sending a courier. If the US Postal Service was used to perpetrate a fraud, it is automatically … Continued
No. Both of these legitimate organizations have solicited funds in the past by contracting with a telemarketing firm for the purpose of raising money for food baskets for the needy in Effingham. While it is your decision to help these efforts, the Effingham Fire Department does not directly benefit from your donation, nor does the … Continued
No. The Effingham Fire Department does not use any fund-raising service, telemarketing firm or mass mailing service to solicit donations but we do continue to accept unsolicited donations. The Fire Department occasionally seeks support for targeted projects from service organizations and corporate sponsors. These have included: a digital camera for the Hazardous Materials Team used … Continued
