Albany Area YMCA fraudulent fundraisers
ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany Area YMCA is putting the word out there about fraudulent donations in local neighborhoods. We spoke with them Monday morning about what you can do to make sure your money is going to the right place.
YMCA executive director, Dan Gillan spoke with us Monday morning about the issue, and how a couple of members in those neighborhoods chimed in.
“We had at least two of our members alert us that it was going on. One of the neighborhoods was the North Doublegate area. So, that gave me reason enough to one: contact the Albany Police Department. And, also to put the message out in the community,” said Dan Gillan, Executive Director, Albany Area YMCA.
As Dan tells us, the scam is as simple as it sounds with them misusing the YMCA’s name and reputation.
“…Some teens, young kids, had been going from door-to-door in a couple of neighborhoods in our area, soliciting donations, allegedly representing the YMCA in their request for donations. Requests for summer camp, and other programs that the YMCA offers,” said Gillan.
They’ve been working with local law enforcement to help get the word out about these fraudulent door-to-door fundraisers.
And, they want to make sure that it doesn’t do any damage to the community hub’s image.
“We don’t want the YMCA name, the YMCA brand being abused. And, we certainly don’t want members of our community being taken advantage of illegally like that,” said Gillan.
Dan goes on to say that the best thing you can do to make sure you aren’t giving out money to fraudulent fundraisers is to pay attention to the YMCA’s official means of communication.
“We do have an annual support campaign. Which means we then go out through mailings, through email solicitation, and our social media and our Facebook, asking people to contribute to our annual support,” said Gillan.
And, Dan is optimistic that these door-to-door sham fundraisers won’t damage the reputation the YMCA has in the community.
If you have any additional information about the door-to-door fundraiser scams, you can contact the Albany Area YMCA at 229-436-0531.
Brian Roche reporting.
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