SCAM ALERT: Missouri Sheriff’s Association does not solicit money over the phone

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Calls not from sheriff’s association

By Stephanie Backus

Friday, January 28, 2011

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These types of phone scams seem to move from county to county, so please report any suspicious calls to your local law enforcement agency.

Recent calls from a group claiming to be a part of the sheriff’s department attempting to solicit donations have angered residents. And while Sheriff Dennis Crane is not sure who is making the calls, he cautioned citizens not to give money to the group.
“The Missouri Sheriff’s Association does not solicit money over the phone,” Crane said. “They only use mailings to known past sponsors.”
Mick Covington, Executive Director of the Missouri Sheriff’s Association concurred.
“We have never used telemarketers,” Covington said. “We never have and never will.”
Covington said the group uses a direct mail campaign to prospective new members and existing members for renewals.
The Missouri Sheriff’s Association is a 501c3 organization, registered with the Missouri Attorney General’s office.
“Anyone interested in finding out how the money we get is utilized can use the attorney general’s website,” Covington said.
The Check a Charity function allows people to type in the name of an organization and find out where the money is used.
“Nine percent of our funds are used for administrative and housing costs,” Covington said. “Ninety percent goes directly to our programs and training facilities. Over the last four years, we have graduated the largest amount of licensed police officers in the state.”
Crane said if someone wanted to give money to any charity, they should contact the organization themselves, rather than give money to someone who contacts them over the phone. Covington agreed.
“In my experience, the majority of the money given goes to the telemarketer and not the organization,” Covington said. “They are pulling 80 to 90 cents out of each dollar so the money is not getting to where the person thinks they are sending it.”
Crane said even money going to the Sheriff’s Association does not necessarily go directly to the sheriff’s department.
“If people think their specific sheriff is getting the money, people should know all the money given is divided between the 114 counties’ sheriff’s departments,” he said. “A lot of the money goes to their training facilities, so people who go there for training and different things are helped.”
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