Veteran Gift Scam Warning Issued

Phoenix, Arizona - Consumers are being asked to be wary of postcards soliciting donations for "Arizona Hospitalized Veteran Gift Campaign." The Attorney General's Office has learned that Arizona residents are receiving these mail solicitations claiming to be associated with a veteran's hospital or veterans group. This is a scam! The Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center Hospital and the Arizona State Veterans Home do not solicit donations to purchase personal and toiletry items. The postcard has an address but not a contact phone number on the solicitation. Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard offered the following tips to consumers when donating to charitable organizations: * Be careful of charities with names that sound impressive or resemble those of other organizations. Some scam artists use names similar to reputable, well-known organizations to confuse donors. * Do not make cash contributions. Always contribute by check. Make your check payable to the charity, never to the individual soliciting the donation. * Contact the Secretary of State's office to ensure the organization is registered as a non-profit. * Be wary of appeals that coincide with highly publicized tragedies, such as devastating fires, floods or other dramatic events. Fraudulent fund raisers will try to exploit sympathy for those who suffered. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact the Attorney General's Office in Phoenix at 602.542.5763; in Tucson at 520.628.6504; or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1.800.352.8431. To file a complaint in person, the Attorney General's Office has 36 satellite offices throughout the state with volunteers available to help. Locations and hours of operation are posted on the Attorney General's Web site at www.azag.gov. Consumers can also file complaints on line by visiting the site.