--- title: "Association Helps FTC Go After Veterans Charity Scams" id: "43424" type: "post" slug: "association-helps-ftc-go-after-veterans-charity-scams" published_at: "2018-07-25T21:42:55+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T16:02:57+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/07/25/association-helps-ftc-go-after-veterans-charity-scams/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/07/25/association-helps-ftc-go-after-veterans-charity-scams.md" excerpt: "As part of its new “Operation Donate with Honor” initiative, the watchdog is both boosting its enforcement against fraudulent veterans charities and working to inform consumers of the risks. The FTC formulated the idea with help from the National Association..." taxonomy_category: - "Fundraising" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "charity" - "Donor Education" - "Leadership" - "veterans" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Association Helps FTC Go After Veterans Charity Scams The Federal Trade Commission is cracking down on fake charities that prey on people’s desire to help veterans, and it’s doing so in collaboration with an association. Last week, the FTC announced that it has teamed with National Association of State Charity Officials, which represents state charity regulators around the country, on a new initiative called “Operation Donate with Honor” to educate consumers and crack down on charities that falsely claim to help veterans. The commission revealed [more than 100 enforcement actions (opens in a new tab)](https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/attachments/press-releases/ftc-states-combat-fraudulent-charities-falsely-claim-help-veterans-servicemembers/dwh_list-enforcement-actions_1.pdf) [PDF] at the state or federal level against charities accused of committing fraud. “Americans are grateful for the sacrifices made by those who serve in the U.S. armed forces,” FTC Chairman Joe Simons [said in a news release (opens in a new tab)](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2018/07/ftc-states-combat-fraudulent-charities-falsely-claim-help) . “Sadly, some con artists prey on that gratitude, using lies and deception to line their own pockets. In the process, they harm not only well-meaning donors, but also the many legitimate charities that actually do great work on behalf of veterans and service members.” The initiative is also supported by the National Association of Attorneys General, according to the news release. Among the organizations targeted for enforcement were Veterans of America, which the FTC said used robocalls and other tactics to convince consumers to donate cars, boats, and other goods, and Help the Vets, which falsely promised that charitable donations would aid wounded or disabled vets. The commission took a range of actions against dozens of groups, including obtaining court orders that prohibit fraudulent solicitations and imposing financial penalties. The initiative includes a variety of educational resources, including [an informational page on the FTC website (opens in a new tab)](https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams) and a video with tips to help donors tell the difference between a legitimate charity and one that may be acting in bad faith. Among other things, the commission recommends that consumers consult organizations like Charity Navigator or GuideStar before making a contribution. Acting Veterans Affairs Secretary Peter O’Rourke noted in the news release that the damage from fraud extends beyond the donors they scam. “Not only do fraudulent charities steal money from patriotic Americans, they also discourage contributors from donating to real veterans’ charities,” O’Rourke said. (CatLane/E+/Getty Images Plus) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#charity](https://associationsnow.com/tag/charity/) [#Donor Education](https://associationsnow.com/tag/donor-education/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#veterans](https://associationsnow.com/tag/veterans/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [Video2025 Summit Award Recipient: Florida Association of Free and Charitable ClinicsOctober 3, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/10/03/2025-summit-award-recipient-florida-association-of-free-and-charitable-clinics/) - [VideoWhy We Donate to ASAE Research FoundationNovember 30, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/11/30/why-we-donate-to-asae-research-foundation/) - [VideoJeff De Cagna ASAE Research Foundation Giving Tuesday ChallengeNovember 26, 2019](https://associationsnow.com/2019/11/26/jeff-de-cagna-asae-research-foundation-giving-tuesday-challenge/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Industry Partner Edition-Sponsorships That Deliver Real ValueJuly 9, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/09/associations-now-presents-industry-partner-edition-sponsorships-that-deliver-real-value/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2018%2F07%2F25%2Fassociation-helps-ftc-go-after-veterans-charity-scams%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !