Crackdown against fraudulent charities

Two South Carolina government offices have joined a national and offshore effort to crackdown against fraudulent charities. Both the office of Secretary of State Mark Hammond and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined the announcement of “Operation Donate with Honor”—a crackdown against charities that claim to help veterans and members of the armed services. Over the last year, Hammond’s office says it has taken administrative action against several charities including the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, Feed Our Veterans, and Heels for Combat Boots. Operation Donate with Honor was developed by the Federal Trade Commission and the National Association of State Charity Officials and pairs enforcement actions with an education campaign to help consumers recognize charitable solicitation fraud and identify legitimate charities.