Source
r/uwaterloo•
iforgottoshave

Heads up: Members claiming to be part of Children's Joy Foundation have been going around campus seeking donations for the disaster at Philippines

I was approached by a really nice student at DC library today and he told me he was part of a charity organization called Children's Joy Foundation. He was hoping that I would donate some money to help the disaster, but I didn't have any change on me that time.

We had a really short talk and he was very polite; shook my hand and told me what program he was in and all that. He showed me a laminated info card indicating that they were raising money to help the ones in need who are suffering in Philippines right now. He said that some of the Filipino students at UW gathered together to fund-raise some donation money.

After he left, I did a quick google search about Children's Joy Foundation and it turns out there were several links claiming that they are a scam charity organization. Moreover, Global news has an article saying how the organization itself is legitimate, but "the scam artists are not affiliated with it".

I probably should've asked him for some ID or any credible proof showing he was indeed part of the organization, but he really only showed me a one-page "pamphlet" that I didn't really read at all.

Just wanted to give a heads up. I'm not saying to avoid/ignore them completely as they may indeed be a legitimate charity, but just be aware that there may be students pretending to be part of the charity in order to scam a bit of your money.

Posted Dec 7, 2013, 3:53 AM UTC

3822
OneWhoSleepsWithCatsComputer Engineering•

I hate that woman who prowls the plaza all hunched over stopping cars and people asking for help.

16
wemightbebanana•

yes! why is she the way she is...

2
BetterFredstatistics•

very annoying indeed.

1
[deleted]•

[deleted]

11
MackinstyleSomehow Employable MSc•

Being shown a list of people who donated is enough to realise it's a colossal scam. A real charity would never do that as it's a serious violation of privacy.

12
TheCanPanda•

I don't know if this happened to you or if its the same group. I was approached at Zehr's in the mall. If you're Filipino they just assume you will donate. The approach is pretty much them giving a quick hard pull on your arm and then shoving their clipboard in your face. When you don't donate they insult you and say how you don't want to support your countrymen. Was pretty cheesed when it happened.

Yup, that's my story.

10
ciaetyn3A EE•

I've had that happen to me too, in the quiet study area of DC. She came up to me and without explanation asked me to sign my name and donate. I was pretty pissed, especially since she was going up to a lot of people and talking in a loud whisper while I was trying to study. But just a heads up, soliciting isn't allowed on campus, so they shouldn't be there in the first place. I reported her to the front desk and I guess she saw me so she snuck into the bookshelves, took off her blazer and left. Super sketchy.

10
bigbytes•

yea had the same shit happen to me. these guys have been running the scam for atleast a year. suprised they haven't been dealt with yet.

1
gin4ndtroniceng•

The older women who are always waiting around DC are pressuring to the point it's uncomfortable. The operation seems sketchy cause there are only women, and it seems like they do it like it's their full-time job.

Who knows, could be legit. Doubt it. Best to donate directly online to Red Cross, World Vision, etc.

7
uwlol4A CS•

What's the deal with the kids selling chocolate bars in the plaza?

5
[deleted]•

[deleted]

6
uwlol4A CS•

Hmm, I swear the kid said it was his part-time job. Ah well, I just said no and went on my way.

1
worried-penguin•

Hello, from UofT here. I've also seen these people around campus and in our libraries. Most students typically ignore or say no to them, I'm sort of surprised they've expanded to Waterloo too.

3
wemightbebanana•

why would they originate at uft?

1
worried-penguin•

I think I should clarify; I myself am from UofT. I've just seen the scams going around my campus a few times.

1
Prankyle•

I've been asked to donate 3 times. I give the person sometime but the second and third time I refused coz it felt really sketchy

2
feb9144B|math| lame duck Feds Councillor•

This is not the only time they do it, i saw them often around DC and MC winter this year. donated once, reported them to the police once. I saw them once in fairview park mall two or three years ago too.

2
bigbytes•

what did the cops say about it?

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feb9144B|math| lame duck Feds Councillor•

she fled before the cops arrived, so they said they would walk around to check if they could find her and would take note for future reference.

a month or two ago i saw 3 of them in DC Caf, i assumed they were preparing to make their rounds as a few minutes later one of them approached my gf and i (she's filiipino and many people mistook me for being one too); so i suppose the police still couldn't get them.

1
DrAstronautEsquireBest Faculty•

I had a woman from the same group of people pressure me into donating a few weeks ago at SLC. I guess I know what happened to my $10... -_-

1
bigbytes•

I was studying the silent section (1-2 months ago) in dc library and 2 loud girls were laughing and approached me and put their pamphlet on the cubicle and tried to pressure me into paying them.

I regretted not taking a smartphone photo of their pamphlet or id card.

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rhaphazard•

I donated $5 the first time they asked me (a couple months ago, so for some other purpose I can't remember). They said they'd send me a charitable donation receipt. Never got one. So now when they approach me I just say I've already donated and they can't really say anything to that.

1
Ehau•

I suggest calling campus police next time. If they are legit, they shouldn't be afraid.

If they start leaving immediately, 100% sketchy! Start taking pictures and call the police. Those con artists need to be locked up. I seen them in North York Centre, Billings Bridge Ottawa, and now UW...

1