Scam Warning: Company Soliciting Care Packages for Military

Jessie Schmidt of the Better Business Bureau in Sioux Falls advises consumers to be wary of door-to-door solicitors asking for cash donations to pay for care packages to US service members overseas.

The warning follows a report to BBB from the City of Sioux Falls that a company called Patriot Packaging Sales is in the area seeking donations to provide packaging and shipping of packages to the military. The City sent out a notice to its patrol officers regarding the company because it doesn't have a Peddler's Permit in most cities around the country.

The website for Patriot Packaging Sales describes it as a for-profit company "dedicated to providing support to our nation's deployed soldiers." Schmidt says the contact number for the company has an area code for Minneapolis. But, BBB has been unable to contact the company to determine how much, if any, of the money is going to direct aid to service personnel.

Jim Hegarty, BBB President and CEO, says the for-profit nature of the business raises important questions.

"Donors have the right to know that their contributions are being used in the way they intended. In this case, they have every right to know exactly how much is going to pay for care packages and how much is going to run the business."

Schmidt offers the following tips for consumers solicited by the door-to-door salespeople:

Understand that you are under no obligation to speak to the solicitors. If you don't want to speak with them, ask them to leave. If they do not, contact law enforcement.

If you do agree to speak with a solicitor, ask for identification and write down her or her name, business affiliation, phone number and address in case you need the information later.  Ask them for their peddler's license.