http://www.redcross.org/press/mediarel/010913fraud.html
News Release:
American Red Cross Contact: Kelly Alexander
National Headquarters
The American National Red Cross is aware that false Red Cross Websites
and e-mail campaigns directing donations to sites other than those
authorized by the American Red Cross have begun to appear. We have
also learned of a number of Websites soliciting donations, allegedly
on our behalf.
In order to ensure that all donations appropriately make their way to
our organization, are properly acknowledged for tax purposes, and to
express our deepest thanks for the generosity of the American public,
we have established formal agreements with sites collecting donations.
These agreements offer the donating public the assurance that those
collecting funds on our behalf will be held to the high standards of
stewardship the public expects from the American Red Cross.
For those who are using the American Red Cross name and emblem without
our written permission, Federal statutes prohibit the use of the name
and emblem of the Red Cross by commercial concerns and unauthorized
solicitations.
Section 706 of Title 18 of the United States Code contains
the following provisions:
Also, from Section 917 of Title 18 of the United States Code:
The American Red Cross will work with authorities to
prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law.
The main American Red Cross Website is
Our five current online donation partners are:
Hundreds of additional corporate supporters have linkage agreements with
the American Red Cross. If you would like to formally link your company,
please contact LinkAgreement@usa.redcross.org.
If you have questions about the legitimacy of a Website, please contact
the American Red Cross Online Media Department
American Red Cross National Headquarters Statement on Internet Fraud
Phone: (202) 639-3591
Pager: (888) 641-3823
alexanderk@usa.redcross.org
17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
"Whoever wears or displays the sign of the Red Cross or
any insignia colored in imitation thereof for the fraudulent
purpose of inducing the belief that he is a member of or an
agent for the American National Red Cross; or "Shall be
fined...or imprisoned." (18 United States Code, Section 706).
"Whoever, within the United States, falsely or fraudulently
holds himself out as or represents or pretends himself to be a
member of or an agent for the American National Red Cross for the
purpose of soliciting, collecting, or receiving money or material,
shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than one
year, or both." (18 United States Code, Section 917).
http://www.redcross.org. The online donation system Web addresses are
http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-wtc/ and
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp
Amazon.com
AOL Time Warner
PayPal.com (added 9/14/2001)
Wells Fargo Bank (added 9/14/2001)
Yahoo! Inc.
The name "Scientology"® is trademarked to the "Church" of Scientology. Neither this web page, nor this web site, nor any of the individuals mentioned herein assisting to educate the public about the Scientology organization's "Volunteer Minister" program are members of or representatives of the Scientology organization. Quotes used within this web page and within this web site are used according to the Fair Use laws of the United States.
If you find anything inaccurate or otherwise mistaken on this web page, please send a correction to Fredric L. Rice at the e-mail address offered below -- with our thanks.
E-Mail Fredric L. Rice / The Skeptic Tank