State officials warn of charity fraud

Shaunta Grimes

Thursday, Dec. 16, 1999 | 11:49 a.m.

The holiday brings out the charitable spirit in everyone, a fact that is exploited by scam artists every year, the state Attorney General's office warns.

"This is the time of year when people say 'Help the children, help the homeless ... help everyone,' " Commissioner Patricia Jarman-Manning of the division of consumer affairs said. But givers need to be careful before they commit to a donation.

Fraudulent solicitors might call and say something like, "Thank you for last year's donation. Would like to donate again this year?" Deputy Attorney General Jane Femiano said. "You might not remember donating last year but assume that if you did, the charity is all right."

Solicitors might also ask for donations for large, well-known organizations, but pass a small percentage of the money to that charity. On Nov. 2 the Clark County Grand Jury returned indictments against three individuals accused of such a scam.

Antonio Anastasio, 54, Edward Atwood, 71, and Frank DeCarlo, 60, all of Las Vegas, face a July trial on charges that they operated a telemarketing, fund-raising boiler room in Las Vegas.

Donations were solicited for an organization known as Veterans Opportunity Service Center. Over a six-month period more than $90,000 in donations were made, mostly in $50 increments. The Attorney General's office alleges less than 10 percent was paid to the organization.

The Veterans Opportunity Service Center is an actual organization helping veterans out of Reno, Brian Kunzi, spokesman for the Attorney General's office, said. The center's operators are not being charged with any crime. "This is what happens when you hire professional fund-raisers."

The easiest way for consumers to protect themselves from charity fraud is to "donate your money where you can visit it," Jarman-Manning said. Donating to recognizable, local charities close enough to visit can help reduce the risks of fraud.

"Use common sense," she advised. "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

About 1 percent of all charitable donations are given to scam artists, Dan Langan, spokesman for the National Charities Information Bureau in New York City, said.

Unlike other states Nevada does not have a law requiring solicitors collecting funds for charitable organizations to register with the state, according to the Attorney General's Office.

The publication by that office offers the following tips for protection against charity fraud.