Scams seem to be popping up everywhere online and over the phone, but the latest scam to hit Anchorage took a more classic approach.
Fundraising for school sports and activities are a long-standing tradition. But recently, a high school-aged scammer posed as a student collecting money door-to-door for a fake West High School football trip to Italy. So how can you make sure your hard-earned dollars are going to the right place?
According to Anchorage police, it starts by asking the right questions. “Sometimes you need to look at the story they are telling,” advised Anchorage police spokeswoman Anita Shell. “If you have a student that is going out of country to play football, does that even sound legitimate?”
But don’t let a few bad fundraising apples deter you from donating altogether.
“We have always had to do extra fundraisers to support some of the activities that we want to have our young people participate in,” said Anchorage School District Superintendent Carol Comeau.
With dozens of elementary, middle and high school sports and clubs out and about trying to get cash to support their programs, how can you tell a phony from the real deal?
“They always have a sheet, either a letter from the teacher or the principal on letterhead,” explained Comeau. Students and organizations also must have approval by the principal or endorsement of a booster club to raise money.
“The students and things will be out representing their team wearing their jerseys, selling things at grocery stores and different venues—those are probably legitimate organizations,” said Shell.
Ultimately, she said it is the giver’s responsibility to ask questions and determine whether the organization is legitimate before donating
Some simple ways you can verify if a group or individual is legitimate in their fundraising, is:
Call the school, organization, or school district to confirm legitimacyExamine any paperwork the fundraiser gives you Ask to see nonprofit status number Call police if you have doubts