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Thieves steal tsunami supplies from Nfld. Red Cross
Last Updated Tue, 04 Jan 2005 15:31:12 EST
ST. JOHN'S - Thieves ransacked the Red Cross office in St. John's and stole supplies destined for Asia's tsunami disaster victims after failing to find donated money.
Staff arrived at the office Monday to find that vandals had cut phone lines to disable the security system, then kicked in the doors and trashed the place.
They made off with supplies intended for the tsunami victims as well as computers and a van, which was found Monday night.
The vandals tried to break into a safe, but couldn't crack it, said Red Cross regional director Rhonda Kenney. Even if they had succeeded, they would have found the safe empty because the charity deposits donations daily at a bank, she said.
"No money has been stolen and all the donor information has been protected. It's very unfortunate that there are people who are out there who would take advantage of the generosity of others."
To keep up with a flood of public donations for the tsunami relief effort, staff worked overtime to keep the office open on the weekend.
One employee said news of the vandalism gave her goosebumps. "It's really frustrating, it's disappointing and it's confusing," Anna Power said.
The office opened again for business on Tuesday.
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And while I'm at it...
Police warn of scams as tsunami donations top $65M
Last Updated Tue, 04 Jan 2005 20:30:33 EST
TORONTO - As Canadian charitable donations for the tsunami victims top $65 million, police are warning donors to beware of fake charities.
Phonebusters, a national police group that keeps an eye on telephone and mail fraud, said reports of scams have started to trickle in.
Staff Sgt. Barry Elliott, with the Ontario Provincial Police, said he received a tip that some people have received e-mails that claimed to be raising money for the "Tsunamis Disaster Help Fund."
The charity doesn't exist, Elliott said. "We were expecting scams of this type to come to the surface," he said.
"The odd thing about this particular e-mail was they described how they got your address through a competition where your e-mail was drawn from a number of other e-mails, so it was almost like you'd won a sweepstakes to be allowed to give this company ... money to help the tsunami victims."
Business watchdogs are warning Canadians not to let telemarketers pressure them into making immediate donations if they suspect the charity isn't legitimate.
She also recommended sending donations by cheque or money order instead of cash or credit card. "That way you can trace it, you have a printed record of it, and you also have something for tax purposes."
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Pretty pathetic, but not all that surprising... from debit/credit card fraud, to computer hackers; damn, these guys got a gift gone wrong... too bad they can't apply their talent for the greater good, either socially or through a private company...
If you're going to make a donation just do it at the bank... quick, simple, no credit card needed... I, myself, have already had close to $1000 in donations from customers at work... and it all goes to the red-cross...
We can all trust the banks, right? Right?
And for the love of God, protect your PIN when you're making a purchase these days... fraud is at an all-time high... even if you don't carry a big-balance in your account, these fraudulent bastards will just cause a shit-load of agony and suffering, and put you in the 'red' while an investigation ensues...
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Anyone wish to re-open a human nature debate? I fail to see how anyone can claim that humans are basically good, Yes, we have the capacity to do "good" things. We do these things often. But, I believe humans, by nature, lie, cheat, and rebel against any authority and against many things that are good and decent. Very few of us start scams to take advantage of those who wish to help victims. But isn't it only because we believe we would get caught? We humans love to excuse behaviour because we say it is instinctive or due to genetics. I say our nature is flawed and we are ultimately responsible for all our actions. Any takers?
Jeff
June 21, 2003 Toronto, ON: SkyDome
July 1, 2004 Toronto, ON: Molson Amphitheatre
November 26, 2004 Toronto, ON: Air Canada Centre
June 24, 2006 Toronto, ON: Historic Fort York
May 10, 2007 Indianapolis, IN: The Vogue
July 14, 2011 Edmonton, AB: Northlands Festival Site
June 30, 2012 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON: The Commons at Butler's Barracks
January 23, 2013 Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place
July 28, 2016 Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place
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That's true, that very few of us do such terrible things, but what drives me nuts is the few who do affect so many others. For instance these few thieves stole the donations of dozens or hundreds of people. Most of the time, the misdeeds of the immoral seem completely and unfairly disproportionate to their numbers. Not only did these guys undo all the good work of the many donors in St John's, they prevented the supplies from helping hundreds more who desperately need it. It's overwhelming.
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Who knew that Newfie's could be so smart?
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Humans are not inherently good or bad. They're inherently human. Glass half empty, glass half full.
A great deal of human's day to day lives are governed by innate behaviour patterns -- they aren't as rational as they like to think they are -- but the decision to rip off the Red Cross belongs to the higher brain functions that separate them from the rest of us animals. Then again, so does the decision to donate to the Red Cross.
That's the problem with humans. The stupid bastards just can't be consistent enough for us to apply simplistic explanations.
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das_hips Wrote:You think most people have it in their heart the desire to defraud a charitable system, or commit crimes for self-gain? I think you're way off mark... do you include yourself in this segment?
Yes, I absolutely do. Most anyone you talk to you that knows me personally would tell you that I am a stand-up guy. I am caring, compassionate, thoughtful, and loving. I think most of us are like this. However, that does not mean that I am naturally inclined to do right. I think when humans do "good" things, for the most part it is only because situations force them to. We need to appear to be civil in order to keep our jobs and friends, etc. We are daily filled with sinful urges that we suppress. It is good that we suppress them - but they are still there! Restraint is a good thing. But, for the most, the "good" people in society are only those who practice a little more restraint because their social situation forces them to.
Jeff
June 21, 2003 Toronto, ON: SkyDome
July 1, 2004 Toronto, ON: Molson Amphitheatre
November 26, 2004 Toronto, ON: Air Canada Centre
June 24, 2006 Toronto, ON: Historic Fort York
May 10, 2007 Indianapolis, IN: The Vogue
July 14, 2011 Edmonton, AB: Northlands Festival Site
June 30, 2012 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON: The Commons at Butler's Barracks
January 23, 2013 Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place
July 28, 2016 Edmonton, AB: Rexall Place
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This tsunami situation is really getting bad, <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFreePress/News/2005/01/05/807818-sun.html">http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/LondonFre ... 8-sun.html</a><!-- m --> Apparently some kid from Sweden I think, has dissapeared and was possibly kidnapped. Donations are starting to be collected at my work so I had to throw some money in, and I urge others to as well.
Imagine a world before the "beginning was the word.”
