Let the Giver Beware

Legitimate veterans’ groups in Southern California are concerned about a growing number of fund-raising organizations that prey on the goodwill of people who care about veterans--especially at a time of a huge military buildup in the Persian Gulf. Some of these borderline charitable groups operate within the letter of the law, obtaining the necessary licenses and permits; others are fraudulent.

One group, Helpline U.S.A. of San Bernardino, was recently accused by the state attorney general’s office of providing false and misleading financial statements. Three more groups are expected to be charged similarly. And, in Los Angeles County, authorities revoked the solicitation permit of American National Veterans Inc., finding that the group had engaged in deliberate deception. There also is concern that these groups--which seem to move to new locations when they get in trouble--are exploiting homeless people and down-and-out veterans, who are recruited to solicit for them.

Groups with long records of service to veterans, such as the Disabled American Veterans Charities of Orange County, say that little of the money collected actually goes toward assistance for needy veterans. DAV reports that these groups pose a problem for legitimate organizations, because they confuse the public and draw money away from groups providing useful services.

In Orange County, the local Veterans Advisory Council will ask the Board of Supervisors soon for authority to screen groups that want to solicit for veterans. That would add a needed level of protection by providing donors with reliable information.

Contributors can help by challenging solicitors to give details about how much of the money collected goes for actual services--and exactly what those services are. Donors also can check soliciting groups with established veterans’ organizations to see what actually is being done to help veterans. This is a case where the giver needs to beware.