Vancouver charity targeted by scam operation in fake advertising scheme, staff say – BC | 24CA News
A Vancouver-based charity says it has been focused and ripped off by a scamming operation.
The Stigma-Free Society, which is a charity targeted on “combating stigma of all kinds with a focus on mental health,” mentioned it was focused by a scamming operation that falsely bought them promoting house.
“(We) are a smaller charity,” mentioned Andrea Paquette, Stigma-Free Society’s president.
“We don’t have tons of dollars, like multi-million dollar charities do, for advertising.”
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The charity’s president mentioned she was contacted by an organization named Konect Media in July, who supplied to assist them promote via a partnership with IGA and reusable luggage.
“Paquette received an email from Kent Trimble, a (self-described) sales representative for Konect Media,” charity workers mentioned in a launch.
“He (piqued) her interest in securing a spot as one of eight local partners to be prominently featured on 10,000 reusable grocery bags to be sold at IGA on Robson Street.”
Paquette mentioned she then talked to the gross sales rep on the telephone, and referred to as IGA to confirm the reusable bag partnership, which did confirm the settlement.
The president then issued $1,500 to Konect Media for the supposed promoting house. A number of months glided by with a number of emails despatched to the media firm, which weren’t responded to, solely to be lastly contacted with some artwork work that may be proven within the promoting.
That was the final contact the charity had with the supposed media firm.
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More than two months later, zero contact has been made.
IGA declined an interview concerning the matter. However, the Robson retailer location will assist recoup the misplaced funds because it mentioned it can maintain an in-store fundraiser for the society.
“People often feel ashamed and stigmatized when falling victim to a scam, but I am here to tell others to be on guard for deception. How is it possible for someone to sleep at night knowing they have negatively impacted the public and their accessibility to mental health education for kids? It is bewildering and extremely disheartening,” Paquette mentioned.
The Stigma-Free Society has contacted the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to report the rip-off.
The Better Business Bureau, a non-profit group that focuses on “helping customers find businesses and charities they trust,” was notified of the rip-off as nicely.
”It is actually, actually unlucky. It’s a sensible rip-off and it’s nicely focused,” mentioned Neesha Hothi, Better Business Bureau’s director of selling and communications.
“They’ve gone to an organization that obviously doesn’t have a lot of extra marketing dollars. They came with what seemed like a really smart solution.
“(Scammers) will always prey on the most vulnerable. Those that are looking to accomplish more with less.”
Stigma-Free Society mentioned it’s talking out to hopefully stop another charity or firm from falling into the identical or comparable entice.
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