Illinois Sheriffs’ Association
401 East Washington
Springfield, Illinois 62701
217-753-2372
isa@ilsheriff.org
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release For Further Information Contact
June 29, 2009 Greg Sullivan, Executive Director
Greg Sullivan, Illinois Sheriffs' Association Executive Director, is advising all citizens of a telemarketing group claiming to represent police officers statewide. This group is using the name of the “Illinois Council of Police”. This is a union organization representing a small group of bargaining units in northern Illinois, mainly in Cook County and the collar counties. Your donations are sent to a rented post office box, usually Mailboxes, Etc., then picked up once a week and mailed to their offices in Lombard, Illinois or to their paid telemarketer.
Director Sullivan wants to make it perfectly clear that this group does not represent any sheriff in the state of Illinois, nor are they associated with the Illinois Sheriffs' Association.
"It is important to remember that the Illinois Sheriffs' Association never solicits by telephone. On the contrary, the Association has gone on record encouraging all police organizations to abstain from telemarketing," Director Sullivan stated.
Tips on Handling Telemarketers:
1. Never give out your credit card or checking account information over the phone unless you know the organization is reputable.
2. Insist on getting written information about the organization before donating.
3. Do not agree to send cash by mail.
4. Resist high-pressure tactics and organizations wanting to pick up a check or cash.
5. If necessary, just hang up. Remember, it is your money and they have no right to it!
You can call the National Consumer League hot-line with complaints about telemarketing fraud at 1-800-243-0607. If someone claims to be representing the Illinois Sheriffs Association, please report them to your local sheriff or the Illinois Sheriffs' Association at 1-217-753-2372.
