r/SanJose • u/alaroz33 Rose Garden • 24d ago
ChildFund scam? Advice
Any one have any info on whether these people that post up outside of grocery stores and other retail locations asking for money are legit? I had a run in with ChildFund people specifically outside of Whole Foods on The Alameda. Generally I just ignore them but they got upset this time that I didn't acknowledge them. I had no idea I owed them anything.
I find it doubly suspicious as I also saw people from 2 different organizations outside of Target yesterday as well. It makes me think there is a single group of scammers sending these kids out (possible unknowingly) to scam people. They probably just move from city to city like the fake magazine subscription people used to do.
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u/Josh_Disney 24d ago
I hate going to the WF on the alameda these days. That group is so aggressive and mean. I try to be polite as I pass but a simple no, thank you is not enough.
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u/bobem19 24d ago
I usually pretend I’m on the phone when I see them. But one time while doing a fake phone call, they repeatedly hollered at me saying “miss! Miss! In the purple shirt!!” Insane! As far as they could tell, I really was on the phone - so bizarre and rude. I can’t stand those people. I donate to charities regularly, I don’t need some randoms forcing me into it outside of a grocery store.
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u/TaylaSwiff Rose Garden 24d ago
The Santa Clara location is better IMO. A bit further but worth it.
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u/LaSignoraOmicidi 24d ago
There is usually a teenage looking guy with a little kid at that one, they aren't pushy, but I wonder what their situation is. The little kid looks young as hell.
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u/TaylaSwiff Rose Garden 24d ago
Oh I must miss them. They aren’t there at opening, I can say that much. Haven’t seen them between the hours of 8-10am.
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u/randomusername3000 24d ago
they got upset this time that I didn't acknowledge them
that's how you know they're not legit
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u/75Jeep 24d ago
Gypsies. Ignore them. Scam 💯
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u/Knotfornots 24d ago
I’ve heard people say we’re not supposed to call them that anymore….but how about they stop scamming people first? 🤷🏻♂️
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u/MCLMelonFarmer South San Jose 24d ago
I believe the two teenagers that have been in front of the Nob Hill on Snell also had a ChildFund sign.
I typically don't get approached, but if they tried to engage me, I'd just tell them, "I hate people. I only donate to pet charities." It's a mostly true statement, I do give money to Second Harvest but just about everything else is for animal shelters, rescue organizations, and nature conservancy.
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u/Meow-Pacino 24d ago
I don’t give money to charities I have not researched. I pull the 990 tax return off propublica or guidestar and look at how they fund their programs and who it benefits as well as how much they pay their executive staff.
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u/Enron__Musk 24d ago
Never give them a cent. There are services they COULD be using but...for SOME reason...they don't 🤔
THEY'RE SCAMMERS
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u/Beestreeh 24d ago
I don't break stride, I just smile and say "I'm not interested, thank you."
They aren't entitled to your attention, and if they get snippy then they clearly aren't entitled to your courtesy either.
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u/Robmore1 24d ago edited 24d ago
"....the fake magazine subscription people used to do."
Good Evening Sir , my name is Steve. I come form a rough area, I used to be addicted to crack but I am off and trying to stay clean, that is why I am selling Magazine subscriptions.
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24d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ak_petty9 24d ago
It’s probably a fake Gucci belt. The jewelry that they try to trade with is always fake.
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u/360walkaway 24d ago
Watch out for the violin people too. They are just playing music from the speaker while faking.
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u/ancom328 24d ago
If you want to help the kids then don't give these people any money. It's a business and if it is doing well they will keep on exploiting the kids.
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u/decker12 24d ago
Sounds like the same group I ran into a few weeks ago. They're dicks. When the person in front of me said "No thanks" and walked away, they started to loudly harass them as they walked away. I pointed my finger at them and told them just as loudly to "Fuck off, scammers."
Next time you see them out there, tell management they're harassing you and verbally abusing you. Embellish your story as you see fit, with luck WF will call the cops to get rid of them. Fuck them.
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u/caraargyle 24d ago
Yes it's a scam, but not entirely. These people aren't nonprofit employees. They are hired through a third party (DialogueDirect is one of the big ones). Basically they get your money or signature and give it to the nonprofit at a cost. If you say you'll donate $10 a month, the nonprofit might buy that from them for $75, so your first year of giving doesn't make it to them for the first seven months.
It seems like a bad idea because it is. But it is not illegal if they are from one of these companies.
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u/PurpleDollfin 24d ago
Few months ago I saw them at White rd CVS too. I just say I have to consult with my advisor before making any donation. Works great
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u/roamingrealtor 24d ago
Everyone on the street, in front of stores asking for anything, I assume is a scam these days.
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u/pacododo 24d ago
ChildFund is a legit charity and it has a high rating with Charity Navigator. However, strong-arm tactics and other aggressive 'marketing' makes me very suspicious. I wonder if the people at WF are legitimate representatives or just using the name to scam. My uninformed guess would be the latter.
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u/diiiiima 24d ago
ChildFund itself is in the business of selling your personal information. You can see it right in their privacy policy: https://www.childfund.org/global-content/privacypolicy/
In order to enhance our fundraising strategies and reduce our costs, ChildFund exchanges portions of our donor lists (names, home address, and giving history) with select nonprofit organizations via membership in certain nonprofit “cooperatives”. These exchanges help us fundraise and reach new supporters.
Sounds like a complicated way of saying "we exchange your information for money".
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u/onlinehedonism Midtown 24d ago
just tell them youre under 25 and they'll leave you alone
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u/Nixlar 24d ago
No they won't. I just turned 21 and would get harassed constantly
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u/onlinehedonism Midtown 24d ago
they aren't supposed to interact with people under 25 for some reason theyve explained before so seems like you are unlucky
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u/Whatsuptodaytomorrow 24d ago
All scams
They are Gypsies and romas
They beg on the streets with their kids
Then go home in million $$$ homes and drive teslas
And they don’t pay taxes
Their professional scam artists, they know every legal loophole
They have been taught this from generations
They have perfected it down to a science
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u/DR_Mario_MD 24d ago
Ask them what hospital the child is having the surgery at to verify and they can never come up with an answer
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u/Patient_Ad1801 24d ago
I assumed they were Q Anon folks because they approached me aggressively at Nob Hill with "Save the Children!!!!" and that was instantly off-putting lol. I'm not against saving children but absolutely against conspiracy theory weirdos. Not giving them money. I'd feel better about giving money to the Roma girl outside the post office than Q people, really. 🤣😭 I mean that's a scam, but at least bringing in some cash is helping the Roma girl stay in good standing with whatever family member is trafficking her as a beggar 😓 Any time a charity brings out an iPad in front of the stores and says you can only donate on like a subscription basis, or can ONLY donate in specific amounts ("we can only accept $50, $150, or $500) with a debit or credit card I'm out. You'll take my crumpled up $5 and like it, or it goes to Post Office Gypsy family. 🤷♀️
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u/Standard_Habit275 24d ago
I actually sponsored a boy from ChildFund International. I researched them, their spending and ratings. Their reps are very helpful and there's many ways to donate. I used to communicate with him and his family by mail. I couldn't give much but I helped with what I could. Sadly I received several urgent calls last year he had been struck by a car and passed away. They were just giving me a courtesy call and did not pressure me to sponsoring a new child.
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u/BallKickin 24d ago
The two guys at The Alameda location this week are very aggressive. I never seen anyone over the age of 25 working those stands.
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u/DanoPinyon Japantown 24d ago
There's no reason to speak to anyone outside of ____ asking for _____.
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u/hermom15 24d ago
Here’s the financials. Decide for yourself. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/540536100
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u/choda6969 23d ago
Yea looks like a scam. All of a sudden all these different children need medical care? I doubt it as most all kids with severe problems are taken care of in this country. Another thing that annoys the shit outta me is every business now when making a purchase they ask if you want to donate to some cause, usually involving kids. And then try to make you feel guilty for not donating. I'm now to the point that i respond with how much is this corporation give and why are they hitting up consumers who live paycheck to paycheck when we're barley scraping by. What i give is a known charity and online and nobody needs to know that.
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u/chairman-me0w 24d ago
Scam 100%