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Wise Giving Wednesday: New York State Attorney General Shuts Down Charity Telemarketing Firm

On March 26
th, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a
press release announcing that it had shut down a telemarketing firm (
Menacola Marketing) that was soliciting on behalf of the National Vietnam Veterans Foundation (NVVF.)  New
York State indicates that the National Vietnam Veterans Foundation was previously shut down by the Attorney General
in 2016 due to deceptive solicitations. 

As stated, “Under the settlement, Menacola will dissolve and its principals… are permanently barred from fundraising
for charity.” The principals will also pay $100,000 that will be distributed to reputable charities supporting veterans. 

Prior to 2016, BBB Wise Giving Alliance had sent written requests to NVVF over a number of years and had not received
any of the requested materials or information.   

BBB WGA encourages donors to check out charities at
Give.org before making a donation, especially in response to telemarketing requests for funding. 


Video of the Week 

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video featuring Ron Carter, President & CEO,
of
Children, Incorporated (a
BBB Accredited Charity) which is a child sponsorship organization that seeks to improve children’s lives through
greater access to education and basic needs assistance.   In 2017, the organization reports that it works
across the United States and in 22 additional countries. 


Recent Reports 

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit 
Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

Finally, remember to let us know by going to 
https://www.give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are  interested in seeing a report on a charity
not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.   

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO

BBB Wise Giving Alliance