Southwestern Company Difference Blog

The holiday season brings a time of thanks, joy, cold air, and… of course, holiday scams.  While none of these are anything new this time of the year, you have to be cautious. 

Just the other day, we had a stranger lurking around Southwestern Company’s corporate headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, boldly taking personal objects, including an employee’s credit card.  It was used shortly after at Opry Mills Mall, several miles away.  Criminal activity and scams come with the season.  While a shame, it’s a fact.

In an article in the Marshall News Messenger out of Texas, titled “Nonprofits, BBB warn of holiday scams” by Angela Ward, the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas issues several warnings for consumers.  The holiday season is a prime time for scam artists to solicit charitable donations door-to-door.  While the article correctly mentions how some legitimate nonprofit agencies DO use door-to-door as a method of collecting donations, many charities primarily utilize mail, phone and e-mail. 

My guess is door-to-door is a common way scammers use to prey on people’s charitable nature because it’s harder to say “no” to someone’s face, especially because it’s sold as “helping others” during the season of giving.

In East Texas, they have had a problem with door-to-door solicitation of charitable funds, and after investigation, the charity does not exist or the solicitation is not authorized.  This is very similar to how disreputable door-to-door companies and individual solicitors stain the image of legitimate direct sellers.  Even Donna Mahurin of the Greater Longview United Way comes to the same conclusion.  She is attributed in the article as saying people who run con games by pretending to collect for charities hurt legitimate nonprofit agencies.  Absolutely right!

In another article on Forbes.com, titled “Holiday Scams: ‘Tis the Season to be Wary” by William P. Barnett, Barnett gives examples of all types of scams, including, yes… door-to-door.  With the popularity of the Internet however, he suggest a lot of the scamming surrounds gift card pitches and unsolicited e-mails with full-on identity-stealing software.  It just goes to show, you have to be careful on several fronts, not just on your front porch.

A few ideas from the Marshall article suggests what to look for:
1. Make sure the charity is trustworthy.  Some intentionally sound like established, legitimate charities and nonprofits.
2. How will the donation be used?  Is this fully explained.
3. Is there pressure associated with the appeal?  You do not have to immediately give.  You can ask for something in writing and research the charity.

A few of my thoughts:
1. Always ask to see a permit if one is required.
2. Ask to see some form of identification from the solicitor.
3. Do not allow anyone in your home if you feel uncomfortable.
4. Do not feel pressured to purchase or donate.  Politely decline and thank them for stopping by and thinking of you.  Never hand over any form of money to simply “get rid” of someone.
5. Check with the BBB to see if they have any information on the company or charity.

I hope this helps.  Education and awareness is the best preparation for staying safe during the holidays.

Happy holidays everyone!

2 comments so far (is that a lot?)