SASKATOON – Fraudsters have hit a new low, taking advantage of a non-profit organization for children with cancer.
Scammers have been calling people in Saskatoon asking for donations to Camp Circle of Friends but the charity says they would never ask for money over the phone.
“There is someone out there trying to raise funds on behalf of camp circle of friends and camp circle of friends has nothing to do with this particular fundraiser, they’re doing it by telemarketing or phone solicitation and we have never in the past and have no intention in the future of doing that type of fundraising,” said Gayle Morris, Camp Circle of Friends executive director.
Every year the charity organizes a four-day summer camp for children affected by cancer.
“It just saddens us terribly that somebody would go out on our good reputation and do that type of thing,” said Morris.
The charity says it’s aware of at least one person who has handed over their credit card details.
Police say scams like this one are all too common.
“They tug on your heartstrings especially in regards to children and in regards to charities,” said Staff Sgt. Keith Briant.
He said those responsible are very hard to catch.
“Internet scams, phone scams are really tough to trace because most of the time the money leaves the country and then you’re dealing with different organizations and governments that don’t have any reciprocal agreements with Canada and they won’t take any enforcement action against these people,” said Briant.
Although Camp Circle of Friends is a province-wide charity, it appears only Saskatoon residents have been targeted in this phone scam.
Anyone who thinks they may have fallen victim should contact police and their bank immediately.
“I do believe there is a relationship between the heart and the wallet and these individuals that are out there illicitly trying to raise funds on this is really just taking abuse of people’s generosity,” said Morris.
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