Media Advisory
FTC, States to Announce Initiative Targeting Phony Charity Solicitations
Enforcement Sweep Focuses on Fraudulent Telemarketers Who Claim to be Helping Police, Firefighters and Veterans
The Federal Trade Commission, together with dozens of state law enforcement officials, will announce “Operation False Charity,” a crackdown on fraudulent telemarketers who falsely claim to be soliciting money on behalf of police, firefighters, and veterans charities, at a press conference at FTC Headquarters Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 11 a.m. The sweep includes cases brought by the FTC and state enforcers, as well as tips for consumers on how to avoid charity scams. A spokesperson fluent in Spanish will be available for interviews.
| WHAT: | Announcement of ‘Operation False Charity’ Sweep |
|---|---|
| WHO: | Jon Leibowitz, Chairman, Federal Trade Commission Chris Koster, Attorney General, Missouri Pedro A. Cortes, Secretary of State, Pennsylvania Mark Hammond, Secretary of State, South Carolina Sheriff Jerry Gaines, Warren County, Kentucky |
| WHERE: | FTC Headquarters 600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, DC, Room 332 |
| WHEN: | Wednesday, May 20, 2009; 11 a.m. (doors open for camera set-up at 10:00 a.m.) |
| CONTACT: | FTC Office of Public Affairs 202-326-2180 |
Call-in Information
Call-in lines are available for members of the press who wish to cover the press conference, but cannot attend. To call in, dial: 866-363-9013, conference ID: 10882209