Beware of scams

[Cougie Wechsler]

I felt obliged to let everyone I know about this. Police in my area are investigating a person calling people and asking them to contribute to the rescue effort in New York, particularly for the firemen. He is asking for credit card numbers and has apparently been successful in obtainin many. This person is a FRAUD and a CRIMINAL. Red Cross reps said that if anyone calls you and ask you for donations, report it to your State's attorney general ASAP. A credible organization will not solicit donations by phone or telemarketing. If you want to donate anything, you should contact the Red Cross or local bank but be careful of anyone calling.

It just goes to show you how sick people can be in trying to take advantage of a situation and of people's generosity.

[ September 13, 2001: Message edited by: Cougie Wechsler ]

[Daisy's Mom]

My blood is boiling right now. I can't even post anything that will make sense, I am so angry. All I can say is that that is the most digusting thing I have ever, ever heard.

[Gio]

How people can do things like these is beyond me. Between this and selling bits of the towers on ebay. How sick can some people be?

[Eudora]

That is sick. That is disgusting. This is a tragedy for you all and these sickos want to make money out of it?! the bogus bomb threats are even worse. those idiots-i can't even type sensible stuff now, I'm so angry!! please be careful everyone!

[Dixieland Dancer]

It is too hard to imagine that the human race can sink so low. Thank you for the warning of the scam!

[thelmalu99]

Chuck,
One of those bomb threats I heard was at Union Square (14th - 16th Streets), just down the block from where I work! Children play in the park there every day! People shop at the open-air Green Market all day long! It's a very busy area.

During difficult times like these, most people choose to show the beauty that exists within themselves, but unfortunately, some others choose to show the ugly, selfish and uncaring side.

[zippy-kat]

Being in about the same area as Cougie, I too have heard about the scams. They suggested taking a number, name, and company name and doing research before donating. Many times, the scam artist will adapt names of companies so that they sound REALLY close to the real ones. THey also do this with names of ppl in the organizations.

Please becareful!

Don't let the sick people gain profit from such tragedy!

[wolflady]

I agree, it is so sad that people would sink so low during a crisis. It's interesting to see how much people have come together, but there are still those sick-minded individuals that try to take advantage of this situation. I honestly can't imagine what is going on in their minds!! Do they just not have a soul, or a care in the world for others?? I just can't imagine...

Thanks for the update on the scams. It's better if we want to help, seek reliable sources such as the one listed below: **hugs** to you all.


American Red Cross
World Trade Center, Pentagon and Pittsburgh Tragedies
The American Red Cross has immediately responded to the explosions at the World Trade Center in New York City and in the Pentagon and on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. that occurred early in the morning on September 11, 2001. The Red Cross has activated its Aviation Incident Response (AIR) Team to respond in New York City and trained disaster workers from the American Red Cross are providing relief in the affected areas.

80,000 blood donations in the American Red Cross blood inventory are ready to ship to affected areas and will ensure that patients' lives are saved. In the wake of these traumatic events lies a wide path of catastrophic physical and psychological destruction in which countless victims will require assistance. In addition to meeting the physical needs of the affected regions, the American Red Cross will be providing crisis mental health counseling.

"The American Red Cross is doing everything we can to ensure the immediate availability of the safest possible blood," said Dr. Bernadine Healy, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "We are also dispatching hundreds of trained disaster workers and mental health counselors to New York, Washington D.C. and elsewhere," she added.

The fastest and most effective way to help the victims of this disaster is through cash and blood donations, which allow for the best use of resources. All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.

To make a blood donation, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or contact your local blood service organization. To help the victims of this and other disasters through a financial contribution, call 1-800- HELP-NOW to make a credit card donation or Internet users can make a secure online credit card contribution here http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html

You can also mail a donation to the American Red Cross, designating "Disaster Relief Fund" on the memo line of the check, at the American Red Cross, PO Box 37243 Washington DC 20013.


Here is also a message from the folks at Wolf Timbers:

Along with all Americans and nearly all people throughout the world, we have been stunned by Tuesday's tragic events.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all touched by this tragedy, and we give sincere thanks to all the heros who have and will continue to step forward to help in any way they can.

We at Wolf Timbers feel strongly that support is needed and wish to help in our small way. Any monies collected over this weekends open hours, on Sunday, September 16th, will be donated to relief organizations to help those in most urgent need.

We would also like to encourage you to donate to the United Way and The New York Community Trust who have established The September 11th Fund. 100% of your contribution will be used to support needed services for victims and their families. United Way and The New York Community Trust are underwriting all administrative costs. Click here for details The September 11th Fund

For information about donating directly to the Red Cross, please check out their web site www.redcross.org (http://www.redcross.org) or Amazon.com has set up an easy means for online donations to the red cross.

Also, please check out the International Association of Fire Fighters. We would like to acknowledge their efforts and their sacrifices.

[wolflady]

FYI the URL for the Association of Firefighters is: http://www.helping.org/frameset.adp?url=http%3A//www.iaff.org&title=International%20Association%20of%20Fire%20Fi ghters&returnurl=wtc/iaff.adp