Published Monday, April 20, 2009

Scam using name of local charity

By Jeff Bishop

The Times-Herald

The recession and its accompanying unemployment can make some people desperate, which is one reason why scams are on the increase.

One local scam involves a woman and child going door-to-door in the Sharpsburg area, soliciting donations for the local Community Welcome House shelter for victims of domestic violence.

"We don't solicit door-to-door," said Linda Kirkpatrick, executive director of Welcome House. "That's not how we raise money."

Community Welcome House reported the scam to the Coweta County Sheriff's Office Friday, as soon as the group discovered it was going on.

Morgan Reese, house manager for Welcome House, found out about the scam from a neighbor in the Barrington Farms subdivision.

"A neighbor called me and said that someone came to her door, trying to get money for the Community Welcome House, but they didn't have any paperwork," said Reese.

She said the neighbor knew Reese worked at the Welcome House, so she mentioned her by name, which drew only a blank stare from the solicitor.

That's when she contacted Reese, and Reese contacted the sheriff's office.

"Community Welcome House does not go door to door, asking for money," said Reese.

The group maintains a Web site, www.communitywelcomehouse.org, and accepts donations at P.O. Box 1631, Newnan, GA.

It also raises funding through events such as Belk Charity Day and Newnan's Dancing Stars.

The group assists women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The hotline number is 770-304-0966.

Last year the organization provided 134 women and children with a temporary "safe haven" and assisted an additional 314 through its outreach program.

"Staying at the Welcome House is free," said Kirkpatrick.

If anyone suspects that they are being solicited in a scam, they should contact local law enforcement.

Scams on the rise include credit card scams, mortgage modification scams, and scams claiming to arrange stimulus package grants.