- Charity Fraud
- Job Scams
- Your Community, You're Connected - Board Member Responsibility
- Your Community, You're Connected - Replay Dates, Video on Demand, Archived Episodes
- FREE Educational Opportunity for Homeowners and Volunteer Leaders
- Looking for Homeowner and Condominium Resources?
Charity Fraud
These days, with the help of websites like Go Fund Me, charities and charitable organizations are popping up everywhere trying to get consumers to donate to their cause or issue. You may receive a phone call, an email, or see a link on social media; but with so many options, and often the names sounding similar, how do you know which ones are legitimate and which ones are scams?
One of the telltale signs of a scam is when scammers want your money immediately. Legitimate charities will not pressure you to donate right away. Also, scam charities may ask you to send cash, or even wire money, which is another red flag. In addition, if you request the charity send you information on the cause or provide you with details on how the money will be used, they are often unable to do so, or may refuse your request. Furthermore, you may hang up the phone or delete the email knowing it’s a scam, but then receive something in the mail or an additional phone call or email asking you to “make good” on your pledge. In other words, the scammer submitted a fake pledge that you would donate to the charity!
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends consumers take their time and do their research when considering making a donation to charities. Some things to consider while checking into their legitimacy are: is it a real group, what percentage of your donation goes to the charity, is your donation tax-deductible, and how do they want you to pay.
If you think you have been victim of charity fraud, or have found a charity scam, report it directly to the FTC on their website ftc.gov/complaint, or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or TTY 1-866-653-4261.
Job Scams
As college students begin to arrive home for break, and high schools let out for the summer, some students may be looking for seasonal jobs to earn a little money during their time off, and that’s why it’s important to talk about job scams. Job scams come in two forms, fake job placement administrators, and fake advertisements.
Job placement administrators are scammers who may promise to help you find a job if you pay them, but more than likely, they will take your money and not search for a job for you because it’s a scam. Their nonrefundable fee may get you more promises for exclusive job listings, supplies for work from home businesses, or a certification, but in reality, you may get an outdated list of jobs, advice you could have gotten for free, or nothing at all.
Fake advertisements are for jobs that do not exist. What is important to remember here is, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” These jobs advertise working from home, large salaries, the promise of a job that guarantees you will make money even if it is based on commission alone, and these jobs may advertise government positions no one has ever heard of, or classified/top secret positions. You may find these advertisements on social media sites, online, in the newspaper, or on signs, posters, and flyers.
To protect yourself, never interact with someone who promises you a job, do not pay in advance for information about a job even if there is a money back guarantee because that is probably fake. Do not deal with anyone who puts pressure on you to act quickly or make a decision without thinking about it first, and ignore promises about making thousands of dollars working from home as this too, is a scam.
If you feel as though you have been a victim of job fraud, or have found a job fraud posting, repot it directly to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint, or by calling 1-877-382-4357.
Your Community, You're Connected - Board Member Responsibility
Are you interested in running for the next board election in your community? Tune to Fairfax County Channel 16, on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the next live episode of Your Community, You’re Connected – Board Member Responsibility. Guests will explore the responsibilities of the officer board member roles, and share best practices of successful volunteer board leaders.
Do you want to be a part of the conversation? Email your questions to ycyc@fairfaxcounty.gov. Using #FFXYCYC, post your questions on the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch Facebook Page or send us a tweet on Twitter. We look forward to connecting with you!
Your Community, You're Connected - Replay Dates, Video on Demand, Archived Episodes
The most recent episode of Your Community, You’re Connected – Developer Controlled Communities can be viewed 24/7 by Video on Demand and on Fairfax County Government Channel 16 on the following days and times:
- Monday at 8 p.m.
- Tuesday at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Friday at 8 p.m.
If you are looking for a previously recorded programs, please visit the Your Community, You’re Connected Archives
FREE Educational Opportunity for Homeowners and Volunteer Leaders
Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute (WMCCAI) offers a FREE educational opportunity. Please click on the link for the program to register and find out more information. If you have any questions, please contact the WMCCAI Office at 703-750-3644 or email education@caidc.org.
How to Make Your Neighborhood Great!
Thursday, June 14, 2018 – 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WMCCAI Office
7600 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22043
Make your neighborhood great! Join Bernie Guthrie, MBA, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, FirstService Residential; Bruce Easmunt, ESQ., Chadwick Washington, Moriarty, Elmore & Bunn; Orlando Ramirez, Griffin Owens Insurance; and Oxford Row Board Member Jon Stehle; to discuss the characteristics of a great neighborhood. Discover how to establish and cultivate neighborly feelings and reap the benefits. Learn how to properly utilize social media to create positivity in your community.
Visit WMCCAI for upcoming Education Sessions!
Looking for Homeowner and Condominium Resources?
Visit the Homeowners’ and Condominium Association web page for links to valuable resources such as education, publications and laws related to living and managing a common interest community. Feel free to contact the Homeowners’ and Condominium Association Liaison any time at 703-222-8435.