A: NO. The Lisle-Woodridge Fire District does not use any
fund-raising service, telemarketing firm, or mass-mailing service to solicit
donations, but we continue to accept unsolicited donations.
The District occasionally seeks support for targeted projects from service
organizations and corporate sponsors. These have included our Hazardous
Materials Response Team vehicle, Home Fire Escape Training (smoke) trailer,
Thermal Imaging Cameras, radio communications equipment, and surplus office
furnishings.
Q: The DuPage Professional Firefighters Association, or the Lisle-Woodridge
Firefighters Union, Local 2986 of the International Association of Firefighters
has solicited me for donations. Do those funds directly benefit the
Lisle-Woodridge Fire District?
A: No. Both of these legitimate organizations solicit funds to aid in
lobbying efforts to improve laws in collective bargaining, improve firefighter
benefits, improve pension laws, perform firefighter safety research, as well as
assists the Union in contracts and other issues. While it is your decision to
help these efforts, the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District does not directly
benefit from your donation.
It should be noted that any legitimate organization that uses a professional
telemarketing service has to pay a very high percentage of the solicitation
proceeds to the telemarketing firm. You may want to ask what percentage of your
money will actually end up supporting the cause, and what percentage is
considered "profit" for the telemarketing service. The answer may surprise you!
Also, depending on the organization, your donation may or may not be
tax-deductible.
Q: What do I do when I get a phone call from a telemarketer representing the
"Lisle Fire Department", or the "Woodridge Fire Department"?
A: This is certainly a "red flag" indicating that the solicitation is
probably not legitimate. There is no "Lisle Fire Department", or "Woodridge Fire
Department". We are the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, a unit of local
government, and a separate taxing body. Neither the Village of Lisle, nor the
Village of Woodridge, has its own "Fire Department".
Q: What are some indications that the solicitation may not be
legitimate?
A: Any organization that claims that your donation will buy fire engines or
rescue equipment for the Fire District should be a "red flag" that it is not
legitimate. We have no relationship or contract with any mass-mailing or
telemarketing group for this purpose.
If any solicitor offers to come to your house to pick up your donation, this
should be a "red flag" that it is not a legitimate solicitation. Many scam
artists avoid the Federal Mail Fraud laws by sending a courier. If the US Postal
Service was used to perpetrate a fraud, it is automatically a Federal Crime that
bears higher penalties.
Q: What do I do if I am uncomfortable with a solicitation?
A: The State's Attorney's Office investigates telemarketing fraud. If you
feel you have become a victim of fraud, contact the
Illinois Attorney General.
Many "scam-artists" use a false
representation such as a fire or police benevolent organization. There have been
many successful prosecutions of these scams. You can also hang up, say "no
thanks", don't mail the donation, or call us if you are not sure about the
donation.
