Two local fire fighting organizations are warning Arizona residents to be cautious of telephone solicitors. The United Phoenix Fire Fighters Association and the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona warn of a charity that claims to collect donations to help burn victims.
However, the Association of Fire Fighters and Paramedics has been repeatedly cited by Charity Navigator for spending less than 3 percent of donations on providing services.
“The problem with a 501C3 company is that they can actually take in a great deal of money, and as long as they are nonprofit, they are compliant with their regulations and there is nothing that specifies what amount of money has to go toward an actual cause,” said P.J. Dean, with the UPFFA.
No Arizona fire fighter groups currently use phone solicitors. Residents who receive any phone call from a charity are urged to investigate the organization.