OFF THE WIRE
Before you donate your hard earned monies this season... be sure to check the validity of the charity!! Here's one that doesn't muster up! I actually received a phone call from them; and the caller became belligerent when I questioned why I had never heard of the charity before.... told him I'd check them out, and if they were a valid charity I'd send a check! Obviously, I never sent anything... but about a week later, I started receiving mail solicitations from them.... so beware... they're pushy!
========Veterans should be aware of a marketing scam targeting callers trying to reach the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Call Center or GI Bill Call Center. A marketing company has established two fraudulent numbers that differ from the two official VA call center numbers by one digit. If the fraudulent number is dialed by mistake, the answering party will offer a gift card and try to obtain personal and financial information, including credit card information, from the caller. The answering party may even transfer the caller to the VA after the caller's information is obtained. The numbers to be avoided are: 800-872-1000 (the VA National Call Center number is 800-827-1000) and 888-442-4511 (the VA GI Bill Call Center number is 888-442-4551). VA has notified law enforcement authorities to address this situation.
