Mabel, 95, has developed significant memory and cognitive issues. Because of her age and health problems, her niece and nephew believes some charities are taking advantage of her by asking for money.
"I find it despicable. I find it unethical," said Mabel's niece, Charlene Cogan.
They are concerned about an endless deluge of mail donation solicitations. Dozens arrived in the last two weeks, the majority of which were on issues important to the elderly.
"Social Security reform, or medical care, those are the things," said Mabel's nephew Gralen Britto.
"It was so obvious, the more she paid, the more letters they would send," said Charlene. For Mabel, it started out small. Her niece said it was small checks at first for 5, 10, 15, 20 dollars. And it quickly got out of hand.
"I looked at her checkbook and that month she had spent about $1000 in contributions," said Charlene.
Our investigation shows the often highly hyped and verbally supercharged solicitations are rarely tax deductible because they are for political advocacy.
"The language is such that it becomes scarier. It becomes more, 'if you don't do this, the outcome is going to be tragic to you,'" said Gralen.
In sorting the bags of Mabel's mail, we counted sixty-six solicitations from a single group. It operates under a half-dozen project names.
Full Article and Source:
Political Groups Bilking Elderly for Donations Through Mailers
"I find it despicable. I find it unethical," said Mabel's niece, Charlene Cogan.
They are concerned about an endless deluge of mail donation solicitations. Dozens arrived in the last two weeks, the majority of which were on issues important to the elderly.
"Social Security reform, or medical care, those are the things," said Mabel's nephew Gralen Britto.
"It was so obvious, the more she paid, the more letters they would send," said Charlene. For Mabel, it started out small. Her niece said it was small checks at first for 5, 10, 15, 20 dollars. And it quickly got out of hand.
"I looked at her checkbook and that month she had spent about $1000 in contributions," said Charlene.
Our investigation shows the often highly hyped and verbally supercharged solicitations are rarely tax deductible because they are for political advocacy."The language is such that it becomes scarier. It becomes more, 'if you don't do this, the outcome is going to be tragic to you,'" said Gralen.
In sorting the bags of Mabel's mail, we counted sixty-six solicitations from a single group. It operates under a half-dozen project names.
Full Article and Source:
Political Groups Bilking Elderly for Donations Through Mailers
Geez. Always an angle to take advantage of vulnerable people...
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