It's long past time something like this was implemented. Once in a very blue moon I will come across a scam aimed at me, but because God is looking out for me and has given me wisdom, I go by the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is." Whenever I get a letter from a charitable organization--and I get plenty-- if it's one I'm not familiar with, I run it through a ratings and report website, Charity Navigator, and if it's under 3 stars, the name of the suspect organization goes on my scam list that I keep with my mail processing supplies. One time I had my phone on, waiting for a call from a friend, and someone called me. They asked for my Medicare information. I told them, sorry, I don't have access to that information at the moment, and hung up. I have also told a possible scammer that I don't give that information out over the phone. Simple, and it works. I also keep an eye out for health scams, aka quackery. If there's something being pushed that I feel is suspect, I check a site called Quack Watch. It's amazing how much information is on that site. It beats Consumer Reports' book "The Medicine Show" by a country mile. And believe me, Himalayan pink salt, apple cider vinegar and baking soda is the biggest scam for "rapid weight loss" that's being promoted now. Himalayan pink salt differs from regular table salt in that it has minerals in it that give it the pink color. Excess consumption of salt leads to life-threatening medical conditions. It most definitely does not cause you to lose a lot of weight so fast that your doctor will tell you to slow it down by eating cake and ice cream. Losing more than 8 pounds a month is dangerous. I know, I'm a very experienced dieter. If only I'd had success. A medical scam takes your money, and it also can take your life. Watch out, people.
Michele, thank you for sharing such a well-thought-out comment—and for your vigilance in protecting yourself and others from scammers. You're absolutely right: God does give us wisdom to discern truth from deception, and your story is a powerful reminder of that.
I also appreciate that you check unfamiliar charities through sites like Charity Navigator. One thing I’d kindly ask you to consider, though, is how their rating system sometimes unfairly penalizes small, conservative, faith-based organizations like ours. Unlike huge nonprofits that receive million-dollar checks from corporations or foundations, we rely on thousands of small donations through mail and grassroots outreach—fundraising methods that drive up our “overhead ratio,” and, in turn, lower our star rating.
But that doesn’t mean we’re any less honest, faithful, or committed to the cause. In fact, it’s often the opposite. We’re on the front lines, doing work that the big players won’t touch.
So I’d just ask: if a Christian organization seems aligned with your values but has a lower rating, don’t dismiss them too quickly. Maybe dig a little deeper. Sometimes, star ratings don’t tell the whole story—but supporters like you do.
Thank you again for being so alert and wise. You're exactly the kind of person we hope to equip with this campaign.
Tried to reply, but it wouldn't go through. Anyway, whenever a letter from an unfamiliar organization comes across my dining room table, first I check to see if it's on my scam list. If so, it hits the trash. If not, I check it out on Charity Navigator, though ratings from other places like Charity Watch may pop up. I also read the letter. If what I see matches my values, even if it doesn't have that high of a rating, it doesn't go on my scam list. If it doesn't seem Christian, bashes conservatives, etc., or is otherwise suspect, it goes on my scam list. Other organizations that are not tracked by CN, I check what they stand for. I was a bit too generous making gifts to causes I support, so I got myself in a bit of a pickle. But Social Security is paying early for this month, so I just have to sit tight for a few days.
It's long past time something like this was implemented. Once in a very blue moon I will come across a scam aimed at me, but because God is looking out for me and has given me wisdom, I go by the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is." Whenever I get a letter from a charitable organization--and I get plenty-- if it's one I'm not familiar with, I run it through a ratings and report website, Charity Navigator, and if it's under 3 stars, the name of the suspect organization goes on my scam list that I keep with my mail processing supplies. One time I had my phone on, waiting for a call from a friend, and someone called me. They asked for my Medicare information. I told them, sorry, I don't have access to that information at the moment, and hung up. I have also told a possible scammer that I don't give that information out over the phone. Simple, and it works. I also keep an eye out for health scams, aka quackery. If there's something being pushed that I feel is suspect, I check a site called Quack Watch. It's amazing how much information is on that site. It beats Consumer Reports' book "The Medicine Show" by a country mile. And believe me, Himalayan pink salt, apple cider vinegar and baking soda is the biggest scam for "rapid weight loss" that's being promoted now. Himalayan pink salt differs from regular table salt in that it has minerals in it that give it the pink color. Excess consumption of salt leads to life-threatening medical conditions. It most definitely does not cause you to lose a lot of weight so fast that your doctor will tell you to slow it down by eating cake and ice cream. Losing more than 8 pounds a month is dangerous. I know, I'm a very experienced dieter. If only I'd had success. A medical scam takes your money, and it also can take your life. Watch out, people.
Michele, thank you for sharing such a well-thought-out comment—and for your vigilance in protecting yourself and others from scammers. You're absolutely right: God does give us wisdom to discern truth from deception, and your story is a powerful reminder of that.
I also appreciate that you check unfamiliar charities through sites like Charity Navigator. One thing I’d kindly ask you to consider, though, is how their rating system sometimes unfairly penalizes small, conservative, faith-based organizations like ours. Unlike huge nonprofits that receive million-dollar checks from corporations or foundations, we rely on thousands of small donations through mail and grassroots outreach—fundraising methods that drive up our “overhead ratio,” and, in turn, lower our star rating.
But that doesn’t mean we’re any less honest, faithful, or committed to the cause. In fact, it’s often the opposite. We’re on the front lines, doing work that the big players won’t touch.
So I’d just ask: if a Christian organization seems aligned with your values but has a lower rating, don’t dismiss them too quickly. Maybe dig a little deeper. Sometimes, star ratings don’t tell the whole story—but supporters like you do.
Thank you again for being so alert and wise. You're exactly the kind of person we hope to equip with this campaign.
Tried to reply, but it wouldn't go through. Anyway, whenever a letter from an unfamiliar organization comes across my dining room table, first I check to see if it's on my scam list. If so, it hits the trash. If not, I check it out on Charity Navigator, though ratings from other places like Charity Watch may pop up. I also read the letter. If what I see matches my values, even if it doesn't have that high of a rating, it doesn't go on my scam list. If it doesn't seem Christian, bashes conservatives, etc., or is otherwise suspect, it goes on my scam list. Other organizations that are not tracked by CN, I check what they stand for. I was a bit too generous making gifts to causes I support, so I got myself in a bit of a pickle. But Social Security is paying early for this month, so I just have to sit tight for a few days.