'Charity calls' do not benefit county firefighters

Telemarketers from a company based in Milwaukee have recently dialed local phone numbers asking for donations for firefighters.

But county firefighters have never seen a nickel raised by them, said Anne Arundel County Fire Department Battalion Chief Matthew Tobia.

He said that residents should know that the company neither supports "directly or indirectly" any part of the county Fire Department or its member volunteer companies.

Chief Tobia said consumers should be wary of giving out their credit card numbers for causes they believe will aid local firefighters, adding that law prohibits the fire department itself from soliciting residents for any reason.

In the past two weeks, about "half a dozen" Anne Arundel residents have asked if fundraising calls are related to the fire department, he said.

"In no shape or form," Chief Tobia said.

When residents contacted the fire department, they recalled the solicitors were from the "Firefighter Charitable Foundation" or the "Firefighter Support Foundation," he said.

"Herein lies the most serious, latent problem with these types of telemarketers," he said. "They speak very quickly using phrases like 'supporting firefighters in your area,' but in reality a statement like that could mean a firefighter anywhere within your 500-mile radius. They script their words in a way that could make an individual think that they were really truly interested in supporting our firefighters."

The Capital called the company yesterday afternoon at the number 1-800-921-2022. Tina Sisco, a receptionist for a company that she identified as "Community Support," said the purpose of the business is to help raise money for programs all across the country. She said 90 percent of its revenue goes toward "administrative" costs for running the business - like paper and employees, to name a few expenses - and 10 percent goes to the nonprofit organizations they support.

"This is actually a fundraising company," Ms. Sisco said. "We do call all across the country."

When asked if any of the organizations that benefit from the donations are located in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County or even in the state, she mentioned that the American Breast Cancer Foundation, one of the organizations they support, is headquartered in Baltimore.

And as for the "firefighters support," that organization is based in Massachusetts, Ms. Sisco said.

"But that's just the headquarters," she said. "They are a national program."

Officials from the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State said these organizations are not doing anything illegal and have the right to solicit in Maryland, according to a fire department press release.

Chief Tobia said though the company is within its right to solicit in Maryland, he still finds the pitches "deceptive" in nature.

County Executive John R. Leopold said he was concerned to hear about the telemarketers, and believes their tactics can be predatory. He said he hopes citizens, especially seniors who are often targets of these types of calls, stay "vigilant."

"Predatory fundraisers take advantage of the spirit of giving during the holiday season," Mr. Leopold said.

Chief Tobia added that the best defense against telemarketers with potentially misleading pitches is for citizens to stay informed.

Consumers who have concerns about any telephone solicitation, can contact the Secretary of State's Office at 410-974-5534 ext. 3879, and ask to speak with Michael Schlein.