Posted on Jul 16, 2015
SSG Izzy Abbass
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This was just forwarded to me: http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2015/cas15-0710-LombardPaixao.html
It iss a prime example of why we need to continually be vigilant about organizations which supposedly are set up to help Veterans. I've been banging on this drum for sometime now. There are organizations which have become well known but really are just an IP (intellectual property - or logo) company and those that center around one individual. There are lots of great groups out there that are doing amazing work in their communities. Project Sanctuary, the Fisher House, Team Red, White and Blue, Team Rubicon, etc. are just a few examples.

If you know of one doing a great job at a local level, share the information.
Posted in these groups: Scams Scam
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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Edited >1 y ago
Frauds are being committed every minute of every day in so many forms its almost incomprehensible. Losers are out there trying to scam every dollar they can from the unsuspecting public. These bottom feeding cowards have no morals, no ethics, no cares and worst of all no conscience about who they defraud. The sad part is these people are smart, devious and deceptive. My wife and I were almost victims ourselves recently. My wife signed up on a child care web site looking for children to care for. Within a few days we had some inquiries from people moving into the area that needed someone over the summer. They didn't contact my wife through the site, but instead through her email which was available on the site. (clue #1) after several emails and texts, a price was agreed upon and they would send a check as opposed to paying through the site (clue #2) Then they wanted us to cash the check and Instagram (even telling us where one was located near us) money to a third party holding stuff in storage (dead giveaway #1) then they started texting my wife every hour to see if the check had been cashed and money sent (dead giveaway #2). We were close but after receiving the check for an unusually large amount ($2700.00 - $300.00 short of being picked up by the bank money laundering fraud radar) we put all the pieces together. The people claimed they were from 1 state, the money was sent from a second state with a bank check from a 3rd state asking us to send the money to a 4th state. We called the Attorney General and sure enough - SCAM. These people even went to the length of providing us a profile of the child we were to care for including favorite toys, foods, eating and sleeping habits - I mean really thought out.

Educate yourselves about these scams and question ANYTHING that doesn't pass the sniff test!
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SSG Izzy Abbass
SSG Izzy Abbass
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Glad you didn't get taken in by this.
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SSG Melvin Nulph
SSG Melvin Nulph
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It's a damn shame when smart people that could probably do a great deal of good, will work so hard to take advantage of others by using their so called brains to harm insted of help.

Looking to take what others have earned. When caught you still pay for them while they are in jail, planning their next scham?
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SSG Dian Sloniger
SSG Dian Sloniger
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But that’s not how Team Rubicon works
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CPT Bruce Rodgers
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I stick to the old reliable organizations
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SSG Dian Sloniger
SSG Dian Sloniger
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Team Rubicon is very reliable for aid and for worth of donation and as an organization to serve for
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SCPO David Lockwood
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To protect against fraudulent charities.
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It's not just the Fraudulent ones sometimes charities can get to big and lose sight of its original intent (cough wounded warrior program) or it gets so big to much money goes into administrating the program or advertising.  I have always felt that you are better off going with local (non-national) charities if you want to see your money do the most good. 
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Why we need to look hard at charities set up to help our comrades.
PO1 John Miller
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Edited >1 y ago
SSG Izzy Abbass
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) chapter 32-2, "Vets Helping Vets." What we do (I am a "fully patched" member) locally is support Esperanza En Escalante, a transitional housing community for Tucson veterans (I pulled this info directly from our flyer). We assist this organization in getting veterans off the street and into a suitable living environment, help them enroll in social services like the VA and any city/state services they may qualify for, help with employment, groceries, and even providing transportation.
CVMA 32-2 is an AWESOME association and I am very proud to be a brother.
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SSG Dian Sloniger
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I can assure you THIS charity is a veteran charity that aims to help veterans, first responders and all disaster survivors in the most feasibly financially responsible ways possible as of Feb 2023. I just completed my 11th deployment and as a veteran with some nasty ptsd I highly recommend it- as a donor or as a greyshirt
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I routinely get mailings and phone calls from "charities". I never give money on the phone. I invite them to mail me something. If I get a mailing from some organization I don't know, I check it out on Charity Navigator, BBB.org, etc. If it's bogus - into the circular file...
MSG Brad Sand
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I think we need to look at all our charities and make sure they are doing what they are claiming. I am happy that they caught and punished those using the deaths of hero to profit for themselves.
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CPT Pedro Meza
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Money is the root of all evil, and charity money is easy money, therefor investigate before you donate. Because when you don't then "A fool and his money are soon parted".
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MSG Brad Sand
MSG Brad Sand
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Realizing that I am a fool, I have taken to giving it directly to people and organizations in need.
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CPT Pedro Meza
CPT Pedro Meza
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MSG Brad Sand - Been there done that and I am more careful too.
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SPC Sql/Business Intelligence Consultant
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Sadly though, even "well-established" charities have issues. I just found out that 2 of my favorite charities, both do much good in the world, have unbelievably high executive salaries. Red Cross & Oxfam are officially off my list. Emergency USA has 1 full time executive, salaried at 76k/year, which is very low. Team Rubicon is a great organization, 2 full time execs, 98k/each per year. There are other good ones.
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