Is this a scam? Need so detective work from ATOT

[Argo]

Recently, I got a call from a charitable organization, asking me for a donation. The charity is called "Holiday Relief Fund" and it claims to provide food to those in need. Like I always do, I told the person on the phone to send me some information about themselves and I'll figure out which one to donate at the end of the month.

So a few days ago a little post card came with 2 paragraphs of information and asking to send checks to holiday relief fund. The information on the card wasn't enough, so I decided to find about them online to see what's their mission.

The search for "Holiday Relief Fund" didn't yield anything, so I looked up their tax id: "501-C4" and their EIN: "94-3116195" and the following came up: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/charities/search_detail.aspx?charity_id=4914

Seems a bit odd, doesn't it? Now it may still be legit, is it common for several charities to go through the same tax id? This is all the useful information that they sent me, the only other useful piece is their address:

PO Box 13171, Seattle WA 98198
PS Box 1464, Tacoma, WA 98401

 

[Captante]

I don't know for certain if its a scam or not, but I do know that PO box's listed as the only address for them raises a big red flag and also from taking a quick gander at their listing on Washington state page, it appears they only manage to get 56% of the money they collect to the actual charity which is pretty crappy.

Considering the number of 100% legit & well known charities you could donate your money to, I'd look elswhere.

 

[kranky]

The amount of funds that go directly to program services is low, as Captante noted. But they do have a street address listed in the page at wa.gov linked in the OP.

It's probably not a scam, because scam charities don't register with the government. It looks to be just a two-bit organization that is inefficient. Not a charity I would donate to.

 

[isasir]

Isn't "Holiday Relief Fund" just three words that pretty much numerous companies use? It almost seems to me that the company purposely gave you information that would look like it'd check out ok, since those words are so common. I'd stay away, esp. since it's a PO Box and not the same address as listed on the site.

 

[Argo]

I have no doubts that the one linked is a valid charity, I was just afraid that the "Holiday Relief Fund" people were using somebody else's tax id to appear legit. That being said you all bring up very valid points - I'm going to donate elsewhere.

 

[49erinnc]

Originally posted by: isasir
I'd stay away, esp. since it's a PO Box

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

sounds like somebody's method of getting an easy paycheck in the name of charity.

 

[DrPizza]

I get requests for charitable contributions all the time (actually, they've really seemed to have tapered off in the past year or so... hmmm)

Anyway, the FIRST thing I ask is "what percentage of my donation actually goes to the charity?"
Unless I'm mistaken, they are legally obligated to tell you.

The most shocking one was to donate to the Sheriff's Association (or State Trooper's association or some association related to law enforcement)
I listened to the whole spiel about how they used the money to help under-priveledged children and help them regain lives where they wouldn't have to turn to breaking the law just to meet their basic needs....

Anyway, I asked my question...
it was less than 20%. The company making the phone calls kept around 80% for expenses.

 

[amcdonald]

Come on.. just send the money in.. I want an xbox 360.

 

[jaybert]

On that page you linked, it even has a section called "Also Known As Name(s)"...

I've bolded the important part

Crime Education Task Force
Crime Task Force
Holiday Relief Fund (US Crime Education Task Force)
WA State Crime Education Task Force

Originally posted by: Argo
Recently, I got a call from a charitable organization, asking me for a donation. The charity is called "Holiday Relief Fund" and it claims to provide food to those in need. Like I always do, I told the person on the phone to send me some information about themselves and I'll figure out which one to donate at the end of the month.

So a few days ago a little post card came with 2 paragraphs of information and asking to send checks to holiday relief fund. The information on the card wasn't enough, so I decided to find about them online to see what's their mission.

The search for "Holiday Relief Fund" didn't yield anything, so I looked up their tax id: "501-C4" and their EIN: "94-3116195" and the following came up: http://www.secstate.wa.gov/charities/search_detail.aspx?charity_id=4914

Seems a bit odd, doesn't it? Now it may still be legit, is it common for several charities to go through the same tax id? This is all the useful information that they sent me, the only other useful piece is their address:

PO Box 13171, Seattle WA 98198
PS Box 1464, Tacoma, WA 98401

 

[Kev]

You should make a donation to the Human Fund instead.