Fraud Alerts
From time to time, Make-A-Wish® and its supporters fall victim to scams that illegally make use of the good name and trademarks of Make-A-Wish.
As a matter of policy, Make-A-Wish does not participate in chain letters, telemarketing or sweepstakes activities.
Unauthorized Charge Update
We were recently made aware that an organized effort of online scammers targeted Make-A-Wish and other nonprofits by utilizing a giving platform, OneCause, to make a series of fraudulent and unauthorized charges using stolen card numbers obtained from an outside entity. Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana did not originate these charges, and we do not have access to the card and personal information of the individuals impacted. Our integrity is of the utmost importance to us, and we are working with our merchant account provider to ensure these fraudulent charges are refunded as soon as possible.
If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please contact Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana COO Russell Betts at [email protected]. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Fraudulent Sweepstakes Alert
A number of individuals have reported to us that they, or a family member or friend, have received a telephone call from someone pretending to be a federal government employee, informing them they have supposedly won hundreds of thousands of dollars in a sweepstakes allegedly conducted by Make-A-Wish. The supposed winners are told that, in order to claim their “prize,” they must first pay thousands of dollars to cover taxes and/or insurance on the alleged winnings.
This is a SCAM! Make-A-Wish does NOT conduct – nor is it affiliated with – any sweepstakes whatsoever. Likewise, no matter what the caller says, you can rest assured he or she is NOT employed by, or otherwise associated with, the Consumer Protection Agency, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), or any other government agency. See FTC consumer alerts regarding “Government Imposter Scams” and "Scams in the Name of Charity"; and BBB Wise Giving Alliance "Charity Sweepstakes Scam" warning.
For additional information about the fraudulent Make-A-Wish sweepstakes scam and helpful guidance on how to avoid becoming a victim, we encourage you to read, and then share with potentially vulnerable family members or friends, a blog posted by AARP entitled,
"New Make-A-Wish Scam a Triple Threat That Swindled $20 Million Last Time."
If you or someone you know receives a call regarding this bogus Make-A-Wish sweepstakes, please notify us as soon as possible at [email protected], or at (800) 722-9474.