A "kid" from my "neighborhood" came by attempting to earn points for his Team "Lightening"— a baseball team that had made the papers! I wasn't offered anything, magazine or otherwise.
Instead, I was offered the opportunity to "sponsor" a child at the "Childrens's Hospital" in Oakland, California. My contribution would provide children with books to read. My gut said "no" my heart said "yes", I have 3 kids of my own who were looking on.
After a very smooth song and dance about being a local boy, I wrote him a check for 1/2 of a child's sponsorship— $33.00. It didn't feel right and the receipt and check which was made out to "Ultimate Power Sales" felt dirty, felt wrong.
I hopped on-line and found this site.in the meantime, since I lived in a court, I waited for the boy to come back. When I saw him I went back outside and asked him a few questions.
I said "What school did you say you attended"? He replied after a pause, um. Didn't I mention that I was home-schooled? Then I asked where he lived, he claimed up the street from me. When I asked for ID, he said he didn't have any.
At that point, I asked for my check back. I said I didn't feel as if this was on the up and up. He cheerfully understood and gave me back my check.
This was fraud from the word "go". He pitched a story that would appeal to me& I wish I would have gone with my gut. This really turns me off to "giving". I hate having to be wary of these situations but, unfortunately, we all apparently must be aware!
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