Consumer Blog

Do you ever get telemarketing calls from groups that claim to represent police officers, firefighters, sheriffs, highway patrol troopers? Be careful, and don't assume they're legitimate.

AG Nixon announced yesterday a lawsuit against a telemarketer calling itself "Police Protective Fund," claiming to raise money for the families of police officers killed in the line of duty. According to our investigation: PPF raised nearly $6 million in 2006, and donated only $37,000 of that to officers' families. Consumers who complained tell us they used guilt, intimidation, harassment, etc, to get money from them.

Here are our best tips on how to handle charity solicitations.