Controversy creates opportunity, pure and simple. And in some circles, Social Security benefits have become quite the controversial subject. This makes Social Security, or at least the subject of what to do with it, a great starting point for a scam. In this case, the scam targets those who don’t want to see the program abolished. It’s especially effective with seniors.
Joining the fight to save Social Security benefits — fact or fiction?
According to NJ.com, a group called the National Council for Survivors is sending letters nationwide. The letters claim the organization works “to protect the hard-earned Social Security benefits owed to America’s seniors.”
I’ve never heard of this group. Then again, I haven’t heard of many involved in the cause. But according to the letters, the organization needs donations of $16.45. The money will be used to pay for “an additional 36 referendums on Social Security to citizens across America who feel the same way as you and me.”
The National Council for Survivors is a part of the American Service Council, Inc. Also, the American Service Council is registered as a 501.c.4 charity. This means you may not deduct donations made to the company as you can with a 501.c.3.
NJ.com did some checking on the American Service Council. They discovered the group has a questionable record. Questionable? In what way? Sixty-one percent of its funds go to charity. Twelve percent goes to pay management costs, and twenty-seven percent is spent on advertising.”
Choose wisely — or you’re wasting money
So what’s a concerned citizen to do? Before making a donation to an organization you haven’t heard of before, check them out. My go-to source for this type of information is CharityNavigator.org. Unfortunately, Charity Navigator has nothing on either of these companies. In this case, no record is enough for me to question how much they are doing to save Social Security benefits.
My suggestion is to pick your charities well. If someone is working for a cause you believe in, terrific. Just be sure the ones doing the good work are worthy of your support. If they’re not, find a more efficient and effective organization. Otherwise, you’re throwing money out the door.
Well, I’m one of “those” seniors. I’ve been scammed, too. I receive so much mail everyday that I now send a 1/2 page memo stating that I will no longer be filling out their surveys nor donating. TY for pointing out that the organizations saying that they are 501(c)4 are not tax deductible. They won’t be getting anymore money from me.
My dad just received a letter from them asking for a donation. He already had a check written and was about to send it out when I noticed it. I had never heard of them before and asked dad who they were and what they were about. He said that the letter said that they are trying to help seniors keep their social security. I decided to look them up. I’m glad that I did! My dad receives at least 10-20 letters a day from these so called charities. I’m sick and tired of him getting these scams and sending them money. He thinks hes helping and has fallen for many of them. I dont know what to do to put an end to this. I’ve tried everything that I’ve read to do. Anyways…Thank you for posting this.
Unfortunately, Kalah, your dad is very typical of seniors, which is why these scams are so effective. One option would be to talk to your dad about a budget for charities, then prioritize the ones he believes in. If you get him to agree that he’s only going to support the one’s he already knows and believes in, maybe you can get him to exercise a little bit of self-control. Good luck!
Yes, I am tired of being targeted with scam letters that are repeatedly sent to me promising me that my COLA can be protected and can changed for the better by sending a ONE TIME donation. Definitely scam operations same address for them, and asking for different amounts each time. This is not a government organization they say they ate lobbyists. Crooks are what they are.
I just received a letter from the National Council for Survivors asking for me to help by returning my signed letter and a donation of $20.00 within 4 days to be given/sent to Subcommittee Chair- man Sam Johnson that America’s seniors demand immediate release of the Social Security Guarantee Act. I have had letters from them and others before BUT so thankful that I read your report BEFORE I sent a check. Again, thanks
My step-dad just got a survey from these people. They are asking him to send $20. I just walked in from a doctor’s appointment and decided to look this up on Google. good thing I did. I don’t trust anything that tries to get anything out of senior citizens. Apparently this group is trying very hard to scam senior citizens. The letter accompanying this survey includes quotes from Paul Ryan, Marc Rubio and John Delaney. I think this will con many into believing that this is the real thing. I hope they do not fall for this.
Seniors are an especially vulnerable group, Stacy. I hope you caught him before he sent them money, and good for you for paying attention!
I just received a letter from this Louis Ambrose about the Back Pay Statement & asked for a$13 donation or I wouldn’t get the $581 check that SS owes me for cost of living increases that were never given. I never fall for these scams but for the heck of it I Googled his name. I thought I’d let you know about this, because I didn’t see this scam mentioned! Sad to say, but so many people fall for this…. what’s a “little” donation!!!
Sandra Walsh
My mom just received a similar letter, and she insisted that it was from Social Security (sigh). Promptly went online to check them out, sadly this is the only way to convince her that these are scams.
I’ve even added her to the “Do not mail” list hoping to at least minimize receiving these letters.
Sadly, some of these scams are so convincing. Hence their success rate and why they continue.
I received a request from the Nation Council For Survivors. I have received several donation requests over the last couple of months. I’m not falling for this one. As you pointed out it just didn’t feel right donating to this place, especially since I’ve never heard of it, and that it’s not tax deductible donations…that in and of itself raised a red flag.
Thank you Terry for bringing light to this topic.
I’m glad you found this helpful. Thanks for stopping by.