Thursday, December 11, 2008
BEWARE - Tzedakah phone solicitation scam
Sent in by a Chaptzem reader
I received a call from Caller ID (212) 612-1721. (This is the second time in a week that they called; the first time no one spoke.)
As soon as I answered, a woman asked for me by name and said she was calling about "Hatzoloh Israel" and started her spiel. I interrupted her and asked if she knew what time it was since it was after 9:00 P.M. at which point she hung up.
A couple of scary points:
1. If you try and dial back the above number, you get a phone company message saying this number is "not in service at this time."
2. If you call Verizon and ask for a "reverse number search" they tell you that they have no such listing.
3. The name on the Caller ID is simply New York.
It's important to give tzedakah but one should be careful to give it to bona fide charities.
Please publicize this.
Thank you.
I received a call from Caller ID (212) 612-1721. (This is the second time in a week that they called; the first time no one spoke.)
As soon as I answered, a woman asked for me by name and said she was calling about "Hatzoloh Israel" and started her spiel. I interrupted her and asked if she knew what time it was since it was after 9:00 P.M. at which point she hung up.
A couple of scary points:
1. If you try and dial back the above number, you get a phone company message saying this number is "not in service at this time."
2. If you call Verizon and ask for a "reverse number search" they tell you that they have no such listing.
3. The name on the Caller ID is simply New York.
It's important to give tzedakah but one should be careful to give it to bona fide charities.
Please publicize this.
Thank you.
Comments:
You are lucky that she hung up, some of them become so nasty and agressive that you are thankful to be separated by a phone!!!
Comment Credit ---This article posted by 
: December 11, 2008 8:59 AM
: December 11, 2008 8:59 AM
There has been a lot of murky dealings with this hatzsolah
with it being sold
(who heard of an organization being sold?)
ichud hatzsolah is a much better organization with transparency
with it being sold
(who heard of an organization being sold?)
ichud hatzsolah is a much better organization with transparency
On the side you have an ad to donate to the Kruman family.
How can they be legitimately collecting money for the Chroman family, if they don't know how to spell the name?
Yossi G.
How can they be legitimately collecting money for the Chroman family, if they don't know how to spell the name?
Yossi G.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : December 11, 2008 12:54 PM
: December 11, 2008 12:54 PM
Yossi G, don't be a yutz! The family is Israeli and their name in english is probably just a phonetic adaptation.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : December 11, 2008 6:20 PM
: December 11, 2008 6:20 PM
Maybe you did not hear about the Technology of a DSL phone line. Many Americans & organizations in Israel have DSL lines provided by other companies NOT VERIZON in Israel. This enables you to call America like a local call. I had one of these when I learned in Israel. The possible reason why she hung up is because she was probably embarassed & did not know how to react.
I am not saying that it was a legitimate call but DON'T BE SO FAST TO JUDGE
I am not saying that it was a legitimate call but DON'T BE SO FAST TO JUDGE
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : December 11, 2008 8:22 PM
: December 11, 2008 8:22 PM
No one should make a charitable donation as the consequence of an unsolicited phone call.
The solicitation may be a scam and even if it is a legitimate charity, you have no idea if it is inefficient and consumes 60 or more of its revenue in unwarranted expenses.
Always ask them to send you an official solicitation in writing and then investigate the charity before donating.
The solicitation may be a scam and even if it is a legitimate charity, you have no idea if it is inefficient and consumes 60 or more of its revenue in unwarranted expenses.
Always ask them to send you an official solicitation in writing and then investigate the charity before donating.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : December 11, 2008 10:20 PM
: December 11, 2008 10:20 PM
I have done research on this telemarkering company several years ago. with a T1 lines you can set it up that the caller id should show any number you wish the person you are calling to see. This telemarketing firm is located on Coney Island Avenue between Ave K & L ontop of one of the store fronts. I have had the same people call me one week for Hatzalah Israel & the next week calling me about another organization they keep on switching organizations that they collect for. I even have the owners name he is from crown heights. Out of some respect I will not publish his name but if this doesnt end soon I might just be tempted. The reason why they hung up was because it is an automated system doing the dialing so if there is no one asvailable to answer the call once there system got you it will hang up on you.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : December 11, 2008 10:45 PM
: December 11, 2008 10:45 PM
I got a bunch of missed calls from the same number (212-612-1721) over the past few days. Even when I pick up, they just hang up.
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : January 14, 2009 8:08 PM
: January 14, 2009 8:08 PM
i just got a call from hatzolah of israel claiming that i owe money from a pledge and they would accept a credit card.
the call ID was 867-082-9114, when calling back i too get a non working number message.
Please be aware of this scam!
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the call ID was 867-082-9114, when calling back i too get a non working number message.
Please be aware of this scam!
Comment Credit ---This article posted by : May 03, 2009 5:49 PM
: May 03, 2009 5:49 PM
