Maryland Attorney General's Office issued the following announcement on July 19.
Nationwide Effort to Combat Fraudulent Charities
That Falsely Claim to Help Veterans and Servicemembers
Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh and Maryland
Secretary of State John C. Wobensmith today announced enforcement actions taken against four
sham charities operating in Maryland as part of a nationwide sweep and education initiative,
“Operation Donate with Honor.”
The Federal Trade Commission, along with Attorneys General and charity regulators from 70
offices in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico,
announced more than 100 actions against fraudulent charities that con consumers by falsely
promising their donations will help veterans and servicemembers. In the state actions announced
today, charities and fundraisers sought donations online and via telemarketing, direct mail, doorto-door
contacts, and at retail stores, falsely promising to help homeless and disabled veterans, to
provide veterans with employment counseling, mental health counseling or other assistance, and
to send care packages to deployed servicemembers.
“Sham charities steal from consumers,” said Attorney General Frosh. “They rely on our noble
instincts - to help veterans and other worthy causes - but they use the money they collect to
enrich themselves. They hurt legitimate charitable organizations by siphoning off support from
their good work. We are committed to putting these fraudsters out of business.”
“Scam artists are on the prowl, ready to take advantage of donors who want to help veterans,”
said Secretary of State Wobensmith. “Make sure your donations go to reputable, wellestablished
charities.”
Original source can be found here.
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