Secretary of State Wayne Williams joins FTC and 49 states to combat fraudulent charities that falsely claim to help veterans and service members

DENVER, July 19, 2018 -- Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams joins the Federal Trade Commission and law enforcement officials and charity regulators from every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico in announcing “Operation Donate with Honor,” a sweeping new donor education campaign to help donors spot and avoid fundraising solicitations that falsely promising their donations will help veterans and service members.

Every year, grateful Americans repay the sacrifices made by those who serve in the U.S. armed forces with contributions to charities that promise to deliver needed help and services to veterans and service members. Most of these charities live up to fundraising promises, but a few attract donations by lying about help and support not actually delivered. In the process, they harm not only well-meaning donors, but also the many legitimate charities engaged in important and vital work on behalf of veterans and service members.

“Coloradans are extremely generous in supporting charitable organizations,” Secretary of State Wayne Williams said. “This initiative is one more opportunity for our office to help Coloradans ensure that their donations are getting to the people who need them, especially when it comes to the worthy cause of supporting our veterans and service members.”

The new campaign is being released in conjunction with announcements of new and recent law enforcement actions by the FTC and many states.

Operation Donate with Honor was developed by the FTC and the National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO), the association of state offices charged with oversight of charitable organizations and charitable solicitations in the United States. The initiative pairs enforcement actions with an education campaign, in English and Spanish, to help consumers recognize charitable solicitation fraud and identify legitimate charities. This includes a new video that highlights tips on how to research charities on giving wisely to veterans organizations.

Veterans fundraising fraud schemes target potential donors online, via telemarketing, direct mail, door-to-door contacts, and at retail stores, falsely promising to help homeless and disabled veterans, to provide veterans with employment counseling, mental health counseling or other assistance, and to send care packages to deployed service members. Many schemes solicit nationwide.

The national education campaign being announced today is intended to help potential donors, regardless of where or how they choose to donate, learn how to spot fraudulent and deceptive solicitations and make sure their contributions actually benefit veterans and service members.

Before giving to a charity, read the Secretary of State's office wise giving tips or visit www.CheckTheCharity.com. Donors and business owners can also find information to help them donate wisely and make their donations count at FTC.gov/Charity.