Giving Back Without Getting Scammed

Craig Campbell on October 28, 2022

By Attorney General Josh Stein

As we approach the holidays, people are at their most generous. We spend time with loved ones, buy gifts for each other, and strengthen our communities through charitable donations. Unfortunately, scammers know this, and they come out of the woodwork to try to take advantage of people’s generosity. Take precautions to make sure your donations go where you want and not to line some scammer’s pocket.

Before you give, do your research on the charity or organization. It’s a good idea to donate to charities that you are personally familiar with or that operate visibly in your community. If researching online, double check that the charity’s URL is legitimate by looking for a lock icon and an “https:” in the address bar. Copycat websites and apps will resemble a business’s brand name closely or have a URL that is similar to the real thing.

Don’t respond to unsolicited emails, text messages, and social media posts asking you to give. Although the cause may sound worthy of your hard-earned money, taking the time to verify an organization’s legitimacy is worth it.

Be careful of calls from charity fundraisers. Some telemarketers keep up to 90% of the money they collect for charities. Your money will go further if you give directly to the real charity, not to hired fundraisers. Also, scammers will often try to pressure you into donating. Remember that legitimate fundraisers will not push you to make a donation immediately.

If you are unsure whether a charity is the real deal, you can call my office’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM to check whether the charity has complaints against it, or you can call the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office to check its license. You can also research a charity’s ratings and history using resources including the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or GuideStar.

Once you have chosen and verified a charity, it is best to pay by credit card for security and tax purposes. If you decide to pay by check, always make it out to the charity and not an individual.

For more information on common charity scams and how to avoid them, visit ncdoj.gov/charity. And if you think you or someone you know has been the victim of a scam, file a complaint with my office’s Consumer Protection Division at www.ncdoj.gov/ complaint or by phone at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. The holiday season is a special time of year, and I hope this season brings joy to you and your loved ones.

NCRGEA Update: Statement on Lake Case, October 2022

Craig Campbell on October 20, 2022

Raleigh, October 20, 2022 — Tim O’Connell, Executive Director of the North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees’ Association, announced today that the United States Supreme Court has denied the Petition filed by the State of North Carolina seeking review of the North Carolina Supreme Court decision affirming a partial judgment in favor of retired State employees seeking promised health care benefits.

This past March, the NC Supreme Court ruled that a vested State retiree is contractually entitled to the same retiree health care benefits that were in place at the time they vested. The NC Supreme Court ruling sends the case back to the North Carolina Superior Court for a determination of whether the State’s actions in reducing benefits was a material breach of the contract and if so, a determination of damages.

“It is time for this case to be resolved,” O’Connell stated. “Our retirees have been waiting over ten years to receive the benefits the State promised them when they became employed. I urge the State to stop delaying and do the right thing for these retirees who relied on the State’s promises.”

The case was filed in Gaston Superior Court in 2012 after the North Carolina General Assembly reduced the benefits retirees would receive in the nonpremium contributory plan. The Superior Court granted a partial summary judgment for the retirees and reserved ruling on the amount of damages.

“This case has been up and down in the trial court and appellate courts for almost 11 years,” stated Chris Whelchel of the Gastonia law firm Gray, Layton, Kersh, Solomon, Furr and Smith, one of counsel for the retirees. “We are prepared to move on with this case to make sure these retirees receive what the courts have said they deserve. Many of the 220,000 retirees affected by this case have died waiting for justice to be served.”

At the November district conferences, lobbyist Jack Cozort shared information on the case with members. You may view it below.

NCRGEA Continues Pre-Retiree Outreach at City Of Goldsboro Event

Tracie Eubank on October 10, 2022

Josephine Lanier, NCRGEA’s Insurance Director, left, speaks with two Goldsboro employees about the advantages of early planning for retirement at the October 6th City of Goldsboro Employee Health & Benefits Fair.

Lanier met with more than 50 potential members at the four-hour event. She listened to employees’ concerns about retirement and answered countless questions about the benefits of joining the association.

Engagements like this are just one of the ways NCRGEA keeps abreast of issues facing North Carolina’s public servant workforce.

Excellent Turnout for NCRGEA Recognition Table at NC Museum of Art Reopening

Tracie Eubank on October 10, 2022

NCRGEA’s Recognition Table for North Carolina Public Servants at the North Carolina Museum of Art’s reopening on Saturday, October 8, 2022 was a great success. Both the general public and active NCRGEA members stopped by for information, to pick up swag, and to enter our organization’s drawing for a $500 travel giveaway.

A big thank you goes out to the following volunteers who showed up on a beautiful fall day to work: Delores Parker (member, District 8); Gary Ackley  (member, District 8); Laura Kupatt (associate member & Gary’s wife); Suzanne Merrill (NCRGEA Board member); Phyllis Fulton (member, District 8); Lillie Costin (member, District 8); Chris Whitten  (staff); Tom McCollum (staff); Deryl Davis Fulmer (staff); and Tim O’Connell (Executive Director).

Lillie Costin and Phyllis Fulton showcase their hosting skills with people eager to learn more about the organization.
Tim O’Connell, Suzanne Merrill, and Phyllis Fulton pose with a visitor.
Members Gary Ackley and his wife, Laura Kupatt, greet people who stopped by to chat and pick up information.