Scam Prevention/Protection Worksheet
by Sherry McCourt, CFE
With the rise of scams I encourage you to use the following worksheet.
Scam Prevention/Protection Worksheet
1. Note the date and time of the call or visit:______________________
2. Has the caller fully identified the organization that he/she represents immediately after you answer? Yes____ No____
Does the caller work for the organization itself or for a fund-raising firm?___________
Ask for and write down the full name, address and phone number of the person making the call or visit and the organization(s) that he/she represents:
Name:________________________________
Address:______________________________
Phone#_______________________________
Organization:__________________________
Fund-raising firm:_______________________
(What to watch for: Hang up if the caller hesitates or refuses to answer these questions. Caller that follow federal telemarketing guidelines should immediately identify themselves.)
3. Does the caller represent a charitable organization? Yes____ No____
What is the charitable purpose of the organization?_________________________
Is it registered with the Province Registry of Joint Stocks, the Better Business Bureau and/or Canada Customs Revenue Agency (CCRA)? Yes____ No___
What percentage of its total income does the charity spend on its program?_________
(What to watch for: Don’t settle for vague descriptions of the organization’s activities that emphasize the problem without explaining what the charity is actually doing about it. Also, make sure that the largest portion of your donation will go toward actual charitable work, not fund-raising expenses.)
4. Is the caller offering a product, service or contest of some sort?
Yes____ No____
Are they licenced under the Provincial Direct Seller’s Act? Yes____ No____
If the answer is yes, what is their number ? ______________________
How much does the product or service cost?_____________________
Is the sale final or refundable? Yes ____ No____
Does the caller seek payment prior to delivering the product or service? Yes____No____
(What to watch for: Hang up if the caller seeks payment prior to delivery of the product or service, or if the offer does not come with a money-back guarantee.)
5. Does the caller seek cash? Yes____ No____
(What to watch for: Hang up immediately if the answer is yes. Legitimate organizations do not seek cash payments via the phone.)
6. Will the caller send details of the charity or product/service in writing, and therefore give you time to carefully review the offer? Yes____ No____
(What to watch for: Hang up immediately if the answer is no, or if you must act “right away”. Legitimate organizations will respect your interest in taking time to review offers prior to making a decision.)
Originally developed by P.A.C.T. (Prevention and Awareness of Crime and Theft)
(A partnership between the RCMP, Competition Bureau – Industry Canada, BBB, Service NS and Municipal Relations, NS Senior Citizen’s Secretariat and Aliant)
