Tag: Oregon

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Five Ways to Avoid Wildfire Donation Scams – Oregon Department of Justice

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum wants the public to be aware of a potential for charitable scams as wildfires continue to burn across the state of Oregon.

“The ongoing wildfires in Oregon are tragic and many are suffering. Kind and generous Oregonians are stepping up to help out by making donations,” said AG Rosenblum. “Unfortunately, we know there are some bad actors out there who will try to prosper off any disaster. I encourage Oregonians to give, but I want to help make sure your donations get to the right place and are used for their intended purpose.”

To help with that, several of Oregon’s leading charities have joined together to create the 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund.  Oregonians are encouraged to give to that organization or to similar organizations they know are actively involved in relief efforts, including local United Ways in the counties that have been most impacted by the wildfires. For more information on how to give to the 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund, please visit https://oregoncf.org/oregon-wildfire-relief-recovery/.If you are interested in other giving options, give wisely and avoid potential scams by following these five tips:

  1. Do your research.
    There are more than 1 million charities registered with the IRS. Find the best charities for you by visiting one of the following websites:
    * Guide Star
    * Charity Navigator
    * Better Business Bureau
  2.  Only give to registered charities.
    Before you give, check the Oregon Department of Justice database or call 971-673-1880 to confirm the organization is properly registered with the Oregon Department of Justice.
  3. Monetary donations are usually preferred.
    Organizations can usually accomplish the most with financial donations. Managing and storing gifts of clothing, food, and household items can often strain limited resources. Before donating those kinds of supplies, check in with the organization to make sure they can make use of those donations. Monetary gifts are always appreciated.
  4. Be wary of telephone, email or door to door solicitations.
    Some scam artists may take advantage of current circumstances by soliciting you in these ways. Resist high-pressure appeals for donations and don’t send cash or respond to requests to purchase and send gift cards.
  5. Remember that not all gifts are tax-deductible.
    Only gifts to charities that have IRS 501(c)(3) status are tax-deductible. Check the IRS website to ensure your gift is to a qualified organization. Make sure the charity provides written confirmation of your donation. Then keep your records. Gifts to individuals through GoFundMe and similar platforms are not tax-deductible.

For additional giving tips, please visit Wise Giving Guide and After The Disaster Handout (English | Spanish | Russian).  If you have concerns about a solicitation, please file a complaint online or call the Charitable Activities Section at 971-673-1880.

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OREGON: Attorney General Rosenblum Announces Settlement with Race Director of the Portland Marathon

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced today that the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Portland Marathon have reached an $865,000 settlement with Lester Smith, former board member and Race Director of the Portland Marathon.

The settlement requires Mr. Smith to pay the Portland Marathon $865,000, of which $50,000 will be paid to DOJ to reimburse for investigative costs. Under the settlement Mr. Smith is prohibited from serving as a director, officer, or fiduciary of any charitable organization, and requires him to dissolve his for-profit company Next Events, LLC. In addition, he is not able to operate, or be involved with, any foot races in the future, and he is prohibited from seeking reinstatement with the Oregon State Bar.

“Our Charities Section supervises and regulates over 21,000 registered charities in Oregon; this means we have an obligation to make sure each one is run with integrity and in accordance with Oregon charities laws,” said AG Rosenblum. “I am pleased that we were able to work with the new board of the Marathon to evaluate the organization’s financial situation and ultimately assist in recovering substantial funds owed to the Marathon by Lester Smith.”

The Oregon DOJ investigation found that Mr. Smith operated the Marathon for many years without meaningful board oversight. Records revealed that over the years Mr. Smith, or his related companies, received hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans from the Marathon—a practice that is illegal.

“The Portland Marathon is a capstone event in Oregon, and I am hopeful that this settlement will enable more successful events in the future,” said Attorney General Rosenblum.

The Oregon Department of Justice’s Charitable Activities Section supervises and regulates the activities of more than 21,000 charitable organizations in the state. To review financial information of all registered charities in Oregon, visit our database.

Press release here.