This is NOT funny at all

Damnable scum pulling this hoax are worse then the past hoaxes weve seen this year.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_fake_checks_charities

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Salvation Army thought it had received a grand gift ahead of Christmas — a $25,000 check. But the donation turned out to be an expensive hoax that may force the charity to cut back on winter assistance for the needy.

Investigators said Wednesday that more than a dozen Charleston-area charities received fake checks before Christmas purporting to be gifts from a genuine local company.

None of the other charities cashed theirs, but the Salvation Army deposited its check. It went ahead and spent some of the money on food and toys for about 100 families, counting on the check to clear.

The bank called two days before Christmas to say the check had bounced, and the agency was left with less money than planned to help the needy this cold January.

"It's a matter of counting on that so we would have a cushion," said Kiki Cooper, the director of development for the local chapter. She said the single check represented about 10 percent of what the Salvation Army typically raises during the holiday season.

The check and accompanying letter appeared to come from Force Protection Inc., an armored vehicle manufacturer in Ladson. The letter said the company had enjoyed success and wanted to share with local charities.

Other charities called the company about the unsolicited donations and Force Protection sent out a memo Dec. 17 — the same day the Salvation Army deposited their check — saying it had been the victim of a holiday scam.

Officers were investigating but there had been no arrests in the case as of Wednesday, said Maj. John Clark of the Charleston County Sheriff's Department.

Tommy Pruitt, a spokesman for Force Protection, said the checks were written on a company bank account that had been closed months ago. He said he did not want to speculate on who might be responsible.

Cooper said the check arrived at the busiest time of year for the charity.

"People say why don't you check every check? We have old ladies who send us a dollar and we're talking at this time of year we have anywhere from 500 to 1,000 checks coming in a week," she said.

Cooper said people were already offering to help offset the loss.

"We've actually had a couple of people walking in dropping off $20. We have that at Christmas, never in January," she said.

Nationally, the Salvation Army raises about $500 million each holiday season — about 40 percent of its yearly donations.

Gift checks sometimes bounce or credit card charges get rejected, said Jennifer Byrd, a spokeswoman for the national organization. "But it's so inconsequential in the overall giving we receive"

my personal thought is "May God have mercy on these people, for they are in danger of offending the Holy Spirit"

One word.

Disgraceful.

Genenco, that is so sad to read, how mean and cruel these scammers can be, to hurt the ones of the less fortunate, for their own selfish, nasty reasons. It's so appaulling, and to think they are probably laughing about it.

One word......Karma

Sad, just really sad....

Pretty disgusting if you ask me.  We had arsonists burn down a church in a nearby town called Whitby a few days before Christmas.  The church had 100 Christmas hampers for the needy in it that were all destroyed.  The support the community gave was amazing. Donations even came in from other cities.  I hope these guys get what's coming to them for sure.

How can these people who did this sleep at night? What goes around comes around. These people who did this will get what is coming to them.

Just an update n this incident and the final word. and look at the next to last sentence! WOOHOOO!

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A Salvation Army chapter in South Carolina says it is receiving donations from as far away as California after it was victimized by a hoax involving a fake check.

Capt. Anthony Juliana said Wednesday the agency had received over $75,000 from more than 250 donors nationwide.

The agency received a check for $25,000 in December purporting to be a donation from a local company. The agency deposited the check and used some of it to help about 100 families.

The bank called two days before Christmas, saying the check had bounced and the agency was left with less money than expected to help the needy.

>>>>>>Juliana says the recent donations include an anonymous wire transfer for the full amount of the bounced check. <<<<<<

Officials say there have been no arrests.

So from something bad, some good has come.

Thats nice to hear.  Thanks for the update Genenco.

blue