NEWS RELEASES
Fundraising scam alert from Texas Children's Hospital

HOUSTON (Dec. 5, 2007) – Texas Children's Hospital is advising Houston residents to beware of fundraising scams claiming to benefit kids at the hospital.  Texas Children’s has received calls from area residents who have been approached by adults selling books and magazines door-to-door.  The sellers allege that the purchased publications will be provided to children at the hospital and that Texas Children’s will also benefit from a portion of sales.

Some callers named “Integrity Program” (www.integritypgm.com) as the organization associated with these solicitations. 

"Texas Children's Hospital does not solicit door-to-door, and we do not operate a ‘magazine for kids’ fundraising program," said John Scales, senior vice president of Development for Texas Children's Hospital.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides additional tips to prevent becoming a victim of fundraising scams:

• Ask fundraisers to identity themselves and name the organization for which they are raising funds.
• Ask how your contributions will be used. The FTC suggests getting written information.
• Call the organization to verify a fundraiser’s claim to be collecting on that organization’s behalf. If the claim cannot be verified, the FTC recommends reporting the solicitation to local law enforcement officials.
• Ask if your contribution is tax-deductible. Make your check payable to the official name of the group or charity.
• Avoid cash gifts.
• Be suspicious of fundraisers suggesting you’ll receive special treatment in return for your donation.
• Don’t feel intimidated about declining to give. The FTC says fundraisers who use intimidation tactics are likely to be scam artists. Report the interaction to local law enforcement officials.