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MAINE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL
AND FINANCIAL REGULATION

35 SHS, Augusta, Maine 04333

 
Phone: (207) 624-8500
Fax: (207) 624-8690
TTY: (888) 577-6690

Department of Professional and Financial Regulation Encourages Check on Charities When Doubts Arise

 

June 3, 2009

 

 

In support of “Operation False Charity,” launched nationwide recently by federal and state law enforcement authorities, Commissioner Anne Head from the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation is encouraging Maine residents to research charitable organizations before making a donation, in order to determine the charity’s authority to raise money in Maine, to find out if there has been any disciplinary action taken against the organization, and to learn the percentage of donations actually used for a charitable purpose.

Under Maine law, charitable entities and those who solicit money for charities, are required to become licensed with the Department’s Office of Licensing and Registration (OLR) before soliciting contributions. The agency collects information about charitable activity in Maine and makes it available to the public, as part of its regulatory functions. OLR also receives, and acts upon, complaints related to charitable solicitation.

Information can be found online through the Department’s website (www.maine.gov/pfr), specifically at www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/charitable. Inquiries may also be made by phone to OLR’s Charitable Solicitations Regulatory Program at 207-624-8624.

Operation False Charity is a federal-state initiative to combat fraudulent charitable activity. Led by the Federal Trade Commission nationally, and announced in Maine on May 20th by Attorney General Janet Mills and Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, the effort is designed to identify and prosecute fraudulent and misleading practices, and to assist the public by providing information that will enable them to avoid being victimized by scams. More information about Operation False Charity and tips to avoid becoming a victim of fraud are available at www.ftc.gov/charityfraud/.

“Although the fraudulent and inappropriate use of charitable solicitations is not new, economic downturns create a climate that may foster greater criminal activity,” Commissioner Head commented. “The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation offers information and resources that can help individuals to make informed decisions about those seeking charitable donations and the charities themselves.”

In addition to checking the status of charities with the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, potential contributors can learn more about non-profit entities doing business in Maine through the Secretary of State’s Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions at 624-7752 or online at http://icrs.informe.org/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS.

Commissioner Head advises individuals to ask questions and seek printed information about unknown charities if solicited for a donation; to confirm their legitimacy with regulators; to never send cash or wire money when requested to do so; to always keep receipts of donations; and to report concerns or complaints about questionable solicitation with the Department and law enforcement.

Last Updated: June 3, 2009 2:11 PM