Door-to-door solicitation scam on TCU community members

Fort Worth, TX

11/20/2008

TCU was recently informed that two university supporters in North Texas have received door-to-door solicitations from unauthorized individuals asking for funds to support TCU student study abroad trips and TCU Orchestra. These individuals were fraudulently soliciting supporters. One solicitor mentioned TCU, Study Abroad and Prestige Sales during the conversation. The other solicitor mentioned TCU Orchestra and was selling cookbooks and magazines.

While this is not a widespread problem, it is important that everyone understands that these individuals are not authorized to raise funds for TCU. If you receive a visit from someone claiming to be a student and asking for money for a study abroad trip or selling cookbooks and magazines for TCU Orchestra, contact your local authority immediately.

The individual seeking support for study abroad also claimed to be working through Prestige Sales, with a Web site www.prestigesalesusa.com, which is nonexistent, and he provided an address of P.O. Box 82430 Phoenix, Arizona. The individual seeking support for TCU Orchestra claimed to be a TCU music student working through Expressions. The individuals are not TCU students. TCU does not endorse any agency soliciting money for its study abroad experience or TCU Orchestra.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Web site offers the following advice for donating to philanthropic organizations:
• Be wary of appeals that tug at your heartstrings, especially pleas involving patriotism and current events.
• Ask for written information about the charity, including name, address, and telephone number.
• Ask for identification. The Telemarketing Sales Rule requires for-profit fund-raisers to disclose the name of the charity requesting the donation.
• Call the charity (university). Find out if the organization is aware of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name.
• Watch out for similar sounding names. Some phony charities use names that closely resemble those of respected, legitimate organizations.
• Be skeptical if someone thanks you for a pledge you don’t remember making. If you have any doubts about whether you’ve made a pledge or previously contributed, check your records.
• Refuse high-pressure appeals. Legitimate fundraisers won’t push you to give on the spot.
• Avoid cash gifts. Cash can be lost or stolen. For security and tax record purposes, it’s best to pay by check.