Helping Hands Of Hope, Handi-tech, I-glo Workshops etc) called me a liar. Phoenix Arizona

1) Make sure they do not have any credit card info and if they do, cancel the card or have a new number issued to it.

2) I would recommend changing your home phone number. They will ignore the do not call list and change aliases every time they lose a court battle or the heat gets too hot. The FTC recently won a case against them (CV-08-0908-PHX-DGC) but they will just change states or aliases.

3) A lawyer probably won't do you any good. The "name" behind the businesses is "George Thomas" but even that is likely fake. Some reports have these people linked to a telemarketing group from Canada or possibly a "Dillon Sherif" who was a noted Canadian telemarketing fraudster. The best thing people can do is spread the word to friends and loved ones about these scams and to start looking at the internet, the phone, the door to door salesman with a more skeptic eye.

Got a call today (nov 8 2007), from Paralyzed Veterans this time.

I am assuming this organization is the same as the others -- if I am wrong I apologize, but it seems just the same as the others; same MO, sending me packages I did not order.

The are sending me a package (oh joy!). Told them I did not order it and that I will return it. Caller said that was confusing -- he was confused by that.

Caller sounded like the others -- similar voice, similar way of speaking. Said his name was Jim Hinkings.

I told him I was on the do-not-call list; he then proceeded to argue with me, claiming I was not. I told him not to call again or he would be fined.

The number he called from was a 602 prefix -- Phoenix Arizona -- most of the calls come from this prefix.

I will photograph and return package -- will post photos if I can.

Oops my email address is blocked by ROR -- it's their policy. So, if you interested in what I said above please post an update on this thread. If there is enough interested parties we can figure out a way of communicating in the future.

Thanks

~A~

also:

I mentioned above that I talked to a lawyer but I had not kept enough details. For your information this is what he suggested to do for future communications with HHofH etc.

Write down what was said in the phone conversation especially the insults. Explicitly say you do not want a package. Get the person's name. Make a record the time and date. Record the call if posssible.

Photograph the package if you get one, don't open it. Take it to the post office for return and get a receipt if possible. If you do open it photograph contents, invoices, packing slips etc; then return the package and get a registered mail receipt (unfortunately you have to pay for this -- but it's worth it).

Keep all invoices, letters from the collection agency etc. Photograph or xerox them if necessary.

Hope this helps

Like I said above I am really sick of these people, and reading through other reports on this website I just feel nauseated.

Can sending unsolicited goods worth $5 and pressuring people to pay $350 be legal?

Can phoning people up and calling them liars be legal?

As far a know they have been operating for more than 6 years; so what can we do?

I don't know much about the law (I am not a lawyer) but mail fraud, harassment and extortion come to my mind.

So far I have had other things in life to deal with and haven't wanted to put much energy in this. But, if enough people who are personally harassed or have elderly relatives how have suffered are interested in taking some legal action please email me at (((ROR REDACTED))). If there is enough interest maybe a civil/criminal class action suit at state level (I am in California) or federal is possible. I am willing to put real effort in to this.

A year ago I talked with a California lawyer -- he said I sounded like I had a good case and he could be sponsored by the state. However he also told be I needed clear detailed records of all dealings with these people, photographs, recorded phone calls, etc. Unfortunately I had not been keeping this kind of data. I am now.

So if you really want to do something: email me.

Thanks

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