The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office has received reports of potentially dubious veterans charities calling people and requesting donations.
Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Detectve Dick Blust says recent reports indicate calls have come from a group identifying itself as the American Disabled Veterans Foundation.
Multiple veterans charities have popped up in the past few years. Some are trustworthy, and some are not.
Blust says one prime example of this comes from a report by CNN in 2012 highlighting the spending of a group called the Disabled Veterans National Foundation.
“CNN found that this group applied an overwhelming percentage of the money it raised towards its own operating expenses, and spent what little was left over on items of questionable value such as small bottles of hand sanitizer and candy,” said Blust.
“At this point, we have no idea whether the American Disabled Veterans Foundation placing the recent telephone calls has any connection with the Disabled Veterans National Foundation investigated by CNN,” Blust added.
While many people want to support veterans, it’s important to ensure that the money donated is truly being used for the cause.
Blust says there are several ways people can feel more secure about making donations to a veterans charity. Watchdog websites like https://www.charitynavigator.org/ or https://www.charitywatch.org can be consulted online to ensure the legitimacy of a charity.
In addition, Blust says one reputable and trustworthy organization benefiting disabled veterans that has been around since the 1920’s is Disabled American Veterans which can be found at www.dav.org.
The local American Legion Archie Hay Post 24 in Rock Springs says that they do not place calls soliciting money. They may place calls to ensure a person’s well-being, but they do not ask for donations over the phone.