AARP Online Community: AARPwa - My Journals & Blogs

AARP Launches New "Doughnut Hole Calculator"

For Immediate Release:

June 23, 2009

Contact:

Jason Erskine / 206-517-9345

AARP Launches Money-Saving Prescription Drug Resource

Online tool helps people avoid dreaded “doughnut hole”

Washington - By the end of this summer, more than one million older Americans will have fallen into the “doughnut hole”—a coverage gap in Medicare’s prescription drug program that leaves individuals on the hook for all of their own drug costs while still paying premiums. AARP is launching a new online resource to help older Americans avoid this dreaded coverage gap.

The AARP Doughnut Hole Calculator, available at www.aarp.org/doughnuthole, guides visitors through their prescription drug options using localized information about their plans and prescriptions to determine if or when they will fall into the coverage gap. In about 15 minutes, visitors can view a graph of their out-of-pocket spending by month, look up lower cost drugs for their conditions, create a Personal Medication Record and print out personalized letters to their doctors to help start a conversation about safely switching prescriptions.

“Twenty-two percent of Washington state residents in Medicare fell in to the gap in 2007, and millions more nervously wonder if they might fall in,” said AARP Advocacy Director Ingrid McDonald. “For the first time, people in Medicare have a simple way to learn if they’ll fall into the doughnut hole and find ways to avoid it by switching to safe, less expensive medications.”

As a part of its Health Action Now campaign, AARP is calling on Congress to close the doughnut hole and lower prescription drug prices so that no one has to go without the prescriptions they need to stay healthy. Yesterday, AARP joined President Obama to endorse an agreement by Senate leaders and the pharmaceutical industry that would reduce brand name drug costs for most people who fall into the doughnut hole by half. Research has shown people cut back on their prescription drugs when their costs become unaffordable, which can lead to more serious health conditions and larger health care bills.

McDonald added: “Saving money on prescription drugs is going to mean pressing hard in Washington to close the doughnut hole; yesterday we were proud to help announce significant progress toward that goal. In the meantime, we also want to give Americans the tools they need to cut their drug costs and stay out of the gap in the first place. We encourage every person in Medicare to take a few minutes to find the right drugs at the lowest prices.”

The calculator is powered by DestinationRx as part of a special arrangement between AARP and Medicare. The data is the same used by the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder, giving users the most accurate and up-to-date drug pricing information available.

For details on AARP’s health reform priorities, visit http://www.aarp.org/governmentwatch or www.aarp.org/wa

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Added: June 23, 2009
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Enumclaw Resident Places Tenth in AARP National Spelling Bee

Virginian Wins AARP National Spelling Bee For “Word Nerds” Age 50+

AARP crowned Michael Petrina Jr., 64, of Arlington, Virginia, the winner of the AARP National Spelling Bee, June 20. Petrina won the championship by correctly spelling “woad” and out-spelled 45 other spellers from more than 25 states who competed in the record-breaking Bee that lasted 46 rounds.

Petrina and runner up Scott Firebaugh, 55, of Knoxville, Tennessee, battled each other for 30 rounds to determine the winner.

The Bee was held at the Little America Hotel in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Gil Couts, 66, from Bigfork, Montana finished third. A full list of finalists can be found online at http:// www.aarp.org/spellingbee .

“We’re thrilled that so many people from across the country came out for this year’s competition and we want to congratulate Michael for coming out ahead of the pack,” said AARP Wyoming Director Tim Summers. “Our Spelling Bee has continued to grow in popularity since it was created by AARP members 14 years ago, and the cognitive and social benefits of exercising your mind as you age make all of today’s participants winners.”

The AARP National Spelling Bee began with a 100-word written spelling test in the morning, narrowing the field to the top 16 spellers who advanced to the afternoon’s oral spelling rounds. Spellers were allowed to miss three words in the oral rounds before being knocked out of the competition.

The AARP National Spelling Bee was created in 1996 by a group of Cheyenne AARP members who wanted to challenge the 50+ community to keep their minds sharp as they age. It is open to anyone age 50 or older, except previous winners, and is supported by Merriam-Webster Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, Taco John’s Foundation, Franklin Electronic Publishers, the Cheyenne Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wyoming Network, Inc., the Cheyenne Women’s Civic League, and the Laramie County Library System.

Registration for next year’s Bee, scheduled for June 19, 2010, is open at www.aarp.org/spellingbee or by calling 1-877-926-8300 .

“It’s great to see so many people dedicated to keeping their minds sharp and taking on the challenge of participating in the Bee,” Summers said. “We hope to see even more spellers compete in next year’s AARP National Spelling Bee.”

The top 10 finishers in this year’s AARP National Spelling Bee were (tied spellers are listed under the same number):

1. Michael Petrina Jr., 64, Arlington, VA

2. Scott Firebaugh, 55, Knoxville, TN (round 46)

3. Gil Couts, 66, Bigfork, MT (round 16)

4. Marlene Harry, 57, Brownsburg, IN (round 13)

5. Deborah George, 56, Livermore, CO (round 11)

6. Dr. Norman Zucker, 62, Sebastopol, CA (round 10)

7. Joan Saxton, 67, Sausalito, CA (round 8)

7. Carolyn Dickmann, 65, Richmond Heights, MO (round 8)

8. Kate Karp, 60, Long Beach, CA (round 7)

8. Dr. Kent Stockton, 67, Riverton, WY (round 7)

8. Joseph Dickmann, 65, Richmond Heights, MO (round 7)

8. Mary DeForest, 62, Denver, CO (round 7)

9. James Sherry, 57, Troy, AL (round 6)

10. Ed Dorschel, 60, Enumclaw, WA (round 5)

10. Lucy Morales, 57, Washington, D.C. (round 5)

10. Kathryn Pulver, 51, New York, NY (round 5)

Added: June 23, 2009
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The Cost of Doing Nothing - free community health forum

The cost of doing nothing about the health care crisis is just too high.

The health care crisis facing this country affects us all. And the financial burden it's placing on millions will only get worse if something isn't done now. That's why AARP, SEIU and NFIB are calling on President Obama and Congress to keep their promises and make health care reform a priority in 2009.

Join us to make sure your voice is heard, and hear from key opinion leaders at a free event in Spokane on July 15. The event will be held from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park (303 W. North River Drive).

The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Call 1-877-926-8300 to register today.

Also please take a moment to download the following flyer and share the information with your friends and community: assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/opinion_leader_forum_flyer.pdf

Added: June 23, 2009
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AARP Applauds House Health Care Reform Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 19, 2009

Contact: Jason Erskine / 206-517-9345

AARP Applauds House Health Care Reform Legislation

WASHINGTON—AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond issued this statement following today’s release of a draft health care reform bill in the House of Representatives:

“The legislation released by leaders in the House of Representatives provides a great starting point for comprehensive health care reform.

“This bill would get us closer to abolishing discriminatory insurance market practices that use a person’s age to block access to health coverage or keep prices too high to make a difference.

“The bill introduced by Chairmen Rangel, Waxman and Miller would address two critical priorities for the millions of Americans who depend on Medicare. The House package would help close the prescription drug ‘doughnut hole,’ better ensuring that people have access to the medications they need. By fixing the unsustainable system that Medicare uses to pay doctors, this bill not only helps protect patients’ access to their doctors, but also puts Medicare on a path to fiscal stability.

“We applaud the leadership of the committees and their chairmen, and we look forward to working with them to pass a compressive health care reform package this year.”

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Added: June 19, 2009
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AARP Night at the Seattle Storm

Friday, June 26th, 7:00pm at Key Arena

The Seattle Storm vs. the LA Sparks

AARP members get tickets for only $12, less than half the regular $34 price. Plus, visit the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Bus and get a free health screening and free AARP one-year membership.

The AARP/Walgreens Wellness Bus will be at KeyArena to provide free health screenings from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on game day. Adults (18 and over) are eligible for six screenings, including cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, bone density, waist circumference and BMI. The screenings are valued at $140, and no appointment is necessary.

After your screening, you will be given a free, one-year AARP membership, with existing members receiving a one-year extension. The first (200) people to visit the AARP table at the game will receive free hats and other promotional items.

To buy tickets, call Dan Ferguson at 206.272.2526 or email him at dferguson@stormbasketball.com. To get the discount $12 group tickets, you must purchase by Friday June 19th.

Added: June 11, 2009
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?The Cost of Doing Nothing? - Health Care Opinion Leader Forum

The cost of doing nothing about the health care crisis is just too high.

The health care crisis facing this country affects us all. And the financial burden it's placing on millions will only get worse if something isn't done now. That's why AARP, SEIU and NFIB are calling on President Obama and Congress to keep their promises and make health care reform a priority in 2009.

Join us to make sure your voice is heard, and hear from key opinion leaders at a free event in Spokane on July 15. The event will be held from 5:30pm – 7:30pm at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park (303 W. North River Drive).

The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Call 1-877-926-8300 to register today.

Also please take a moment to download the following flyer and share the information with your friends and community: assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/opinion_leader_forum_flyer.pdf

Added: June 4, 2009
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Consumers Determined to "Take Charge" in Turbulent Economy

AARP NEWS

For Immediate Release:

June 3, 2009

Contact:

Jason Erskine / 206-517-9345

Con-Artists Emerge to Take Advantage of Economic Downturn

Spokane – With skyrocketing costs on everything from food to utilities, families losing their homes, retirement accounts shrinking and millions of Americans without a job, it’s no wonder that people are feeling swamped by the wake of the economic downturn. To make matters worse, crooks and swindlers have emerged with a new crop of scams and schemes designed to take advantage of today’s turbulent economy.

These uncertain times have left people looking far-and-wide for answers to help them weather the financial storm. Today, a capacity crowd of nearly 300 consumers turned to the experts for help at AARP’s “Taking Charge in Tough Times” event in Spokane.

The event was the fourth in a series of public forums focused on protecting consumers amid the down economy. Attendees heard from a wide variety of experts including Attorney General Rob McKenna, AARP, Microsoft, the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, the Department of Financial Institutions, KCTS 9, the Federal Trade Commission, the Washington State Crime Prevention Association, the Better Business Bureau and the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission. A number of timely topics were covered, including outsmarting investment fraud, staying safer online, guarding your identity, protecting your retirement savings, and spotting and stopping some of the latest scams that have emerged tied to today’s tough economy.

“Factors like the mortgage crisis, unstable job market and Wall-Street woes are adding up to the perfect storm for Washington consumers - and the perfect opportunity for crooks and con-artists,” said AARP State Director Doug Shadel. “But rather than suggest we all just duck-and-cover, we’re hoping to help consumers take charge of the situation by protecting their finances and by arming them with the tools they need to fight back against the crooks who hope to profit from today’s economic turmoil.”

“Whether it’s foreclosure rescue scams, loan modification traps, bogus debt repair offers or work-at-home schemes – scam artists have emerged with a brand new arsenal of tricks focused on the struggling economy,” said Attorney General Rob McKenna. “We’re helping protect consumers through laws and enforcement – but prevention has always been the most effective method to reduce fraud.”

Amid the worst stock market decline since the Great Depression, consumer protection advocates have noted a steep increase in the number of investment related scams. “Americans have lost more than $2 trillion of their retirement nest eggs, and now they’re desperate to get ready for retirement,” said Lori Schock, Associate Director of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation. “Unfortunately, that creates the perfect opportunity for scam-artists to pitch their too-good-to-be-true and get-rich-quick schemes.”

Mike Stevenson, Securities Division Director for the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), encourages people to carefully check out brokers and their products before making any investment decision. “By law, brokers and their products must be registered," says Stevenson. “If they're not registered, it could be a red flag.”

Chuck Harwood, Regional Director for the Federal Trade Commission, warned attendees about a new web and email scam related to economic stimulus payments. According to Harwood, scammers are offering to help consumers qualify for a payment from President Obama's economic stimulus package. Many try to make the pitch look like it has come from a government agency to enhance its credibility. “The online hoax encourages you to click on links, open attached forms, or call a phony toll-free number,” said Harwood. “Two things can happen – you’ll find you have just entered into an agreement that may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to cancel, or your personal information will have landed squarely in the hands of an identity thief.”

While scam artists employ a wide variety of tactics to make their pitch -- phone calls, door-to-door or direct mail -- consumers should also be on the lookout for online threats. Microsoft Audience Manager Tiffany Teichrow highlighted some tips and tools that are available to help protect online users’ personal information. “There are some simple steps everyone who goes online should take to protect their computer and their personal information from online threats,” she said. “These include using a firewall, running automatic software updates, using anti-virus protection and anti-spyware software.”

In addition to learning how to better prepare and defend themselves from scams, attendees also learned of a wide range of programs and services available to help them make ends meet. Amanda Murdock, Education and Outreach Manager for the Utilities and Transportation Commission, presented information about home energy savings, weatherization, low-income telephone options and utility assistance for consumers. “The commission wants to ensure customers are receiving rates and services that are fairly priced, reliable, and safe,” said Murdock. “Our consumer protection help line can assist with billing disputes, service complaints, disconnect notices and more.”

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Resources for Tough Times

· AARP

AARP has assembled consumer resources, tips and materials on finding relief in these tough economic times. Visit www.aarp.org/realrelief for more. You can also call the AARP Fraud Fighter Call Center for information and resources on a wide variety of consumer topics at

1-800-646-2283.

· Washington State Attorney General’s Office

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office has a new website page dedicated to consumer protection topics and the economy at www.atg.wa.gov/economy.aspx.

· FINRA Investor Education Foundation

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation provides tips on how to spot and stop investment fraud at www.SaveAndInvest.org

· Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)

Be sure to check out brokers and their products before investing by calling the Department of Financial Institutions at 1-800-RING-DFI or by visiting www.dfi.wa.gov

· Microsoft

Learn how to protect your personal information, your family and your computer online, by visiting Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/protect

· Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Find out how identity thieves are working to steal your personal information and what you can do to fight back by visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www.ftc.gov

· KCTS 9

Need help untangling the financial news? Do you know where to turn for job retraining help? What are you planning to do about your 401(k) or IRA? KCTS 9 is identifying what the financial crisis means to us in the Pacific Northwest, and what we can do to address the issues for ourselves, our families and our neighbors. Visit www.KCTS9.org/ToughTimes for more.

· Washington Utilities and Transportations Commission

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) helps customers who have problems with privately-owned electric, natural gas, telephone, water, garbage and residential moving services. If you need help call their toll-free Consumer Help Line at 1-888-333-WUTC (9882), or online at www.utc.wa.gov/consumer

Added: June 3, 2009
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"AARP/Walgreen's Wellness Tour" provides free health screenings

Bundle of six health screenings are valued at more than $140

The “AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour” rolls in to Washington State in June, as part of a 3,000-community, two-year national mobile health screening tour with a goal of providing more than $60 million worth of free health screenings. The tour aims to administer more than 2.5 million free screenings and is comprised of nine custom-equipped buses with dedicated staffs of Walgreens’ trained medical technicians.

The tour will include 25 stops in Vancouver, Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane and the Tri-Cities. Join us to receive six free screenings that take place inside the customized vehicle and include total cholesterol levels, blood pressure, bone density, glucose levels, waist circumference and body mass index. Collectively the six health screenings (available for adults 18 and over) are worth more than $140 in value.

The services will provide adults with a critical foundation for early disease detection, and no appointment is necessary. Visitors will have access to free educational information on a variety of health and wellness issues that are available in both English and Spanish. Free, one-year AARP memberships will also be given to all adults who receive screenings. Participants under the age of 50 can pass on the free membership to an eligible adult, and existing members will receive a one-year extension on their current membership status.

A complete schedule of all Washington State stops is copied below, and attached here as a printable PDF file: assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/walgreens_tour_schedule.pdf

You can also call 1-866-484-8687 for more information.

Tour Schedule / Washington State

· June 18, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 2521 Main St., Vancouver, WA 98660

· June 19, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 1905 S.E. 164th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98683

· June 20, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 2903 N.E. Andresen Rd., Vancouver, WA 98661

· June 21, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 6105 N.E. 114th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98662

· June 22, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 9812 N.E. Highway 99, Vancouver, WA 98665

· June 25, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 5409 15th Ave., N.W., Seattle, WA 98107

· June 26, 2009 / 1 PM - 8 PM Seattle Storm Basketball Game- Key Arena, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109

· June 27, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 2400 S. Jackson St., Seattle, WA 98144

· June 28, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 4412 Rainier Ave., S., Seattle, WA 98118

· June 29, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 9456 16th Ave., S.W., Seattle, WA 98106

· July 2, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 3737 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98418

· July 3, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 15225 Pacific Ave., S., Tacoma, WA 98444

· July 4, 2009 / 10 AM - 6 PM Tacoma Freedom Fair- Rustin Way Waterfront, 759 Market St, Tacoma, WA 98402

· July 5, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 8405 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98444

· July 6, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 9505 Bridgeport Way, S.W., Tacoma, WA 98499

· July 16, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 12 E. Empire Ave., Spokane, WA 99207

· July 17, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 7905 N. Division St., Spokane, WA 99208

· July 18, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 2105 E. Wellesley Ave., Spokane, WA 99207

· July 19, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 12312 E. Sprague Ave., Spokane Valley, WA 99216

· July 20, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 15510 E. Sprague Ave., Verdale, WA 99037

· July 23, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 1601 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99354

· July 24, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 2800 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336

· July 25, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 2005 W. Court St., Pasco, WA 99301

· July 26, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 585 Gage Blvd., Richland, WA 99352

· July 27, 2009 / Noon - 6 PM Walgreens, 4000 W. 27th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99337

Added: May 20, 2009
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Seeing Through Stimulus Scams

With talk of stimulus plans ruling the news, it’s no surprise a new round of stimulus scams are afoot.

Download the following fact sheet from the Federal Trade Commission to learn how to recognize and avoid the latest pitch.

assets.aarp.org/www.aarp.org_/cs/misc/ftc_alert_stimulus_scams_1_.pdf

Added: May 20, 2009
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AARP, AGO, Sec of State and FTC launch "Operation False Charity"

JOINT RELEASE:

WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB MCKENNA AND SECRETARY OF STATE SAM REED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2009

Washington state officials bust up stingy “badge charities”

Defendants claimed to help police, firefighters and veterans

SEATTLE – Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna and Secretary of State Sam Reed are slinging their pistols – figuratively speaking -- at lawless “badge charities.” The state officials joined the Federal Trade Commission, state enforcement agencies and AARP Washington in announcing a nationwide crackdown on fraudulent charitable solicitors claiming to help police, firefighters and veterans. Dubbed Operation False Charity, the sweep includes local and national enforcement actions and outreach initiatives .

“Operation False Charity is about sounding the siren on the phonies, cheapskates and outlaws,” McKenna said. “We’re policing those who claim to be raising money for cops, firefighters and veterans but aren’t being honest."

“Just because someone says they are raising money for veterans or police does not mean every dollar you give will go toward those deserving causes,” said Reed. “Some solicitors will return very little – or nothing at all – to the charity they claim to be representing. That’s why it’s so important to know who is taking your donations, and how that money will be spent.”

ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

The Washington Attorney General’s Office uses its civil enforcement authority to stop deceptive fundraising practices and enforce a state law that requires charities register with the Secretary of State’s Office. The office announced today the following cases:

-COMMUNITY SUPPORT, INC.: The Milwaukee-based fundraiser must substantially change its business practices under an agreement reached with the Washington Attorney General’s Office and 30 other attorneys general.

“Community Support is anything but supportive,” McKenna said. “We allege the fundraiser misrepresented how donations were spent while keeping almost every dime for its own use.”

Community Support, Inc., solicits funds from consumers in nearly every state on behalf of more than 35 charities. The states accused the company of suggesting more money would go to the charity or be spent locally, that its callers were law enforcement officers or veterans and that individuals had made pledges. The company was also blamed for making harassing calls.

According to records at the Washington Secretary of State’s Office, Community Support returned 12 percent of its total contributions to charity clients in 2008.

Community Support did not admit any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $200,000 to the states to cover the costs of the investigation and lawsuit; Washington’s share is $8,000. The settlement requires penalties if the company fails to comply with the terms. Washington’s version of the settlement and complaint will be filed in King County Superior Court.

- NATIONWIDE FUNDRAISERS in connection with RESERVE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION : Separately, the Attorney General’s Office reached an agreement in which Nationwide Fundraisers, of Phoenix, Ariz., will pay $1,000 for soliciting donations without being registered.

The agreement filed March 27 in Thurston County Superior Court stems from the state’s investigation into reports of solicitations by the organization and its partner, the Reserve Police Officers Association, of Yonkers, NY. Reserve Police Officers Association signed a similar agreement with the AGO earlier this year.

The Attorney General’s Office and Secretary of State’s Office began looking at the organizations after a Washington resident complained about repeated phone calls from solicitors seeking money for the association.

Nationwide Fundraisers and the Reserve Police Officers Association still have not registered with the state and therefore can’t solicit donations. According to records at the Secretary of State’s Office, Nationwide Fundraisers returned just 1 percent of contributions to charity clients in 2006.

The Washington Attorney General’s Office and Secretary of State’s Office also assisted the Federal Trade Commission with two other charity-related cases announced today:

- DAVID SCOTT MARLEAU et al : The FTC alleged that Marleau ran several for-profit fundraising organizations based in Vancouver, Wash., that solicited money on behalf of sham police, fire, and veterans nonprofit charitable organizations. At least two of those charities were in Washington – and have been criticized in media reports for giving little back to their intended purposes.

According to the FTC’s complaint, Marleau and his organizations, Jedi Investments, LLC; Impact Fundraising, LLC; Millenium Fundraising, LLC, and PC Marl, Inc., misrepresented how donations would be spent, mailed notices to consumers stating they had made a pledge when they had not even been called, misrepresented their affiliation with sheriffs and police and violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule. Solicitations were made from call centers first in Vancouver and then in Portland, Ore.

The defendants reportedly solicited donations for Caring For Our Children Foundation, of Everett, Wash. That charity was highlighted in a 2007 Seattle Post-Intelligencer article for reportedly spending less than 20 percent of its money on program expenses.

They also raised money for Childrens Cancer Assistance Network, which was located in Gig Harbor, Wash., before moving to Cathedral City, Calif. Operators Robert Friend Jr., and his wife Shao Mei Wang, have been the subject of multiple critical news reports based on records that show they devote little money to program services.

The Washington Attorney General’s Office provided the FTC with substantial investigative materials. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

- AMERICAN VETERANS RELIEF FOUNDATION, INC. (AVRF), COALITION OF POLICE AND SHERIFFS, INC. (COPS), AND DISABLED FIREFIGHTERS FUND (DFF) : The FTC alleged these three sham non-profit organizations tricked consumers into contributing money that the defendants used to support themselves and their fundraisers.

The FTC contends that solicitors calling on behalf of AVRF claimed donations would support the families of soldiers fighting overseas through a program it called Operation Home Front. In fact, AVRF spent virtually no money assisting military families and is not connected to the genuine nonprofit, Operation Homefront, Inc., that receives high ratings from watchdog groups.

The FTC reached a settlement with the California-based organizations and their officials that prohibits them from making false claims and violating the federal Telemarketing Sales Rule. The case was filed in the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California Southern Division.

According to records at the Washington Secretary of State’s Office:

o Millennium Fundraising returned 14 percent of contributions to charity, raising money for Cancer Assistance Network and Caring for Our Children Foundation.

o Impact Fundraising gave 17 percent of donated dollars to charity in 2008. It raised money for Disabled Firefighters Fund.

o Only 8 percent of the money spent last year by American Veterans Relief Foundation went to program services.

o Only 5 percent of the money spent in 2007 by Coalition of Police and Sheriffs (COPS) went to program services.

o Only 5 percent of the money spent in 2007 by Disabled Firefighters Fund went to program services.

o Additional information about the FTC cases is available at http://ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/charityfraud.shtm .

NEW OUTREACH EFFORTS – STATEWIDE CALLING BLITZ

Volunteers at AARP Washington’s Fraud Fighter Call Center in Seattle kicked off a calling blitz today to provide information about charitable giving to at least 5,000 Washington consumers. They’ll deliver a scam alert from AARP, the attorney general, secretary of state and the FTC, along with tips on how to give wisely.

Adults over 65 can be particularly vulnerable to fundraising scams, according to AARP Fraud Fighter Call Center Director Jean Mathisen, who said seniors receive more telephone and mail solicitations for charitable donations than any other age group.

The partners conducted a similar campaign last December during the holiday season, a time when charitable solicitors are particularly active.

For tips and tools on how to avoid charity fraud, visit www.ftc.gov/charity , or call the AARP Fraud Fighter Call Center at 1-800-646-2283.

Added: May 20, 2009
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