The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
At this time of the year, when fundraising and charitable giving drives peak, consumers are advised to exercise caution when asked to give. The Manitoba Consumers' Bureau has these recommendations: Resist high-pressure appeals. Do not send cash donations through the mail. Do not give credit card or bank information to anyone you don't know. Ask whether the canvasser is a volunteer or paid by a professional fundraising business. - If the canvasser is being paid, you may want to know what percentage of the money actually goes to the charity. - If products are being sold on behalf of a charity, ask how much of the purchase price goes to the charity. - Be aware that some direct sellers hire students to sell items such as chocolate bars for profit rather than for charitable fundraising. Be aware that unauthorized charities sometimes use names that are similar to those of well-known, legitimate groups to confuse donors. Find out if the charity is authorized by contacting the Consumers' Bureau at 945-3800 or toll-free at 1-800-782-0067. For inquiries about charities that are fundraising in Winnipeg only, call the City of Winnipeg Licence Branch at 986-6422. For more information about authorized charities, contact the Consumers' Bureau.
