Never give at the door, no matter what the story is.

... or, restated, Never give anything to anyone, no matter what the story is.

If these are the same people, they were in Parkside last Friday night and again last night. After I showed them the 'No Solicitors' sign on my front porch, they insisted they weren't selling anything.
Again, it was around dusk and I happened to be in the front yard, otherwise, we would not be opening our door to uninvited strangers at that time.
These people are searching for the gullible and overly-symathetic that fall prey to a sob story without checking theri credentials first. While it may be legal, it's very shady and reinforces that you should research and personally choose who you donate to before being approached and handing over cash. Common sense....just send these hucksters packing.

Honestly, I can't believe people actually give money to the solicitors. I politely say a firm NO thank you, and shut the door. Solicitors should know better than to come to people's homes after dark. Don't answer the door after dark. Didn't anyone ever listen to their mommies?!!

I can't believe anybody would give $1,000. to a stranger at the door in daylight, much less after dark. Sounds like a case of more money than brains. No wonder there are Bernie Madoff's, and the civic leader in Livermore conning old classmates...it work's...sometimes ! Was it P T Barham who said, 'there's a sucker born every minute !'.
Sounds like she found a rich neighborhood, who finds comfort believing they've helped somebody....tho probably NOT needy ! ! Coming back a second time (knowing she had a RARE find) should have been a tipoff...and the husband bought in too ??? the gullibility is amazing. It sort of sounds like the female who came to my door a year ago, saying she had 7 or 8 kids and needed money to take care of him. I said 'sounds like you need condoms more than money, and closed the door.'

It's just like feeding bears in a park. Don't do it!

My husband and I are one the many gullible people that have donated to Mr.Mom. We have given about $500 over a period of 3 yrs to this lady. She usually shows up after dusk which did make me very uncomfortable. She can definitely be very pursuasive. She would come once a month at least and if we mentioned that we just donated last week or so, would say that she is just short of about $125 for the day. She gave out the receipts though for all the donations. Now I am not sure if they were even genuine. She mentioned that her organization houses the out of foster care kids in a single family home in Dublin Ranch. But we never checked. Didn't even think to in fact. After reading this article I now realise that she hasn't come knocking for a few months now. I don't know what to think!!! Hope the authorities can take of these kind of people who play on the sympathies of people.

I like the part where "Mr Mom" wanted the posts removed from this forum about her -- pure epic fail. She must be reading. Anyway if anyone like that came to my door at night asking for donations, especially after 8PM, I'd politely would say "No Thanks" and if persistent, I'd would warn them I'm calling the cops for trespassing.

Always ask for registration from Police Dept. Most don't have it. When they leave, call PD and report them. We've done this and the PD has responded in minutes and had them leave. Bottom line, don't give at the door. Exception...neighborhood children asking for donations for scouts, school, etc.

Does anyone know of actual charitable activity that Mr Mom has done?

Yes, I give to the little kids from the schools and scouts. And when I say little their parents are on the sidewalk :) Other than that, you can ask for their license to do business in Pleasanton (be sure to look at the date) and that normally does it. I've also said "Sorry, I could use a donation too."

Life is harder than ever these days for many people, so don't throw it away on those that are looking for the easy way out, by playing on your sympathy. They may be making more money than you!

[Portion removed by Pleasanton.com staff.] People should not be afraid to say no, esp. to someone who shows up on their doorstep after dark!!

Yeah, I don't even answer the door for trick-or-treaters anymore, day or night. Most of 'em come from Oakland and their parents are trying to make a killing off me by taking the tootsie rolls I used to hand out. Best policy in my book is to just never answer the door, and never give anything to anybody.

Here's my standard speech for solicitors at the door: "I dont give out money to anyone who comes to the door. If you'd like to leave some literature on your organization or a website address, our family would be happy to do a little research and decided if this is a cause we would like to contribute to."

If this is false pretenses at work, are the police empowered to investigate and prosecute like they would for fraud?

Hybrid owner wrote: "I dont give out money to anyone who comes to the door. If you'd like to leave some literature on your organization or a website address, our family would be happy to do a little research and decided if this is a cause we would like to contribute to."

Which is what all good folk should say. Print that out and tack it to your refrigerator if you have trouble remembering it. ALWAYS investigate charities before contributing; even legitimate ones can sometimes waste a lot of the money they raise.

A good website to investigate charities is Web Link

I used that website to evaluate charities before I donated money to help the victims of Japan's recent earthquake/tsunami, and before that, when I gave money to help the victims of Haiti's earthquake. It's a great resource!

I have never been solicited for funds by this "Mr. Mom", but on the face of it, the whole deal sounds a bit shady. I don't necessarily fault the people who gave money, because they did so out of the goodness of their hearts, but you have got to use your head as well as your heart. Alas, the world does have its wolves and thieves.

I've lived in the community as long as anyone, and I've contributed generously to Mr. Mom's solicitations in the past. But as a matter of principle, the last time I was approached I asked to see specifically where the money was going. Perhaps next year if Mr. Mom knocks on my door there'll be carefully spelled out language that shows precisely how every one of my generous offerings is going to be used. Sometimes tough love is what is needed.

MR. Mom has yet to supply ANYONE with proof that they are helping kids off the street. What is very disturbing to know is that Mr. Mom was soliciting SPECIFICALLY to young teen/young adult girls 17-21 in Pleasanton on a job listing...see for yourself...the direct link is:

Web Link

and here is what it says:

We Provide Jobs And Housing For You!!!
Details
Country: USA
Location: California-Oakland/East Bay Pleasanton, CA 94566
Total applied: 40
Salary/Wage:commission
Job Category:Sales/Retail/Business Development
Relevant Work Experience:Less than 1 Year
Education Level:Some High School Coursework
Location:Pleasanton, CA 94566
Status:Full Time, Employee
Occupations:Field Sales;General/Other: Sales/Business Development;Sales Support/Assistance
Career Level:Student (High School)
Shift:Rotating
Relevant Work Experience:Less than 1 Year
We Provide Jobs And Housing For You!!!
Mr. Mom Non-Profit Organization provides first class housing and care for abused, neglected, and homeless females in exchange for daily volunteer work. We can change your current living situation and provide you a better life. We are looking for girls between the ages of 17-21 to work with our non-profit organization. You must be honest, hard working, highly motivated, and have no criminal record. We also need sales people and customer service representatives.
Please respond by email or call 877- 99 – Mr. Mom (877) 996-7666
mrmomnonprofitorganization.org

Here is another disturbing post they made back in 2008 soliciting for our recent high school grads in Pleasanton. Why is it disturbing? Because they are soliciting our kids and cannot show any proof that they are helping any of them. If they are not being helped, this makes you wonder WHY they are soliciting our young kids!!!

direct link:

Web Link

and here is what it says:

****FREE ROOM AND BOARD**** FREE ROOM AND BOARD**** (PLEASANTON)
Author Message
a2z
Free Classified Ads
Posts: 38,545
Joined: Jul 2008
Status: Offline
Reputation: 0
Post: #1
****FREE ROOM AND BOARD**** FREE ROOM AND BOARD**** (PLEASANTON)
We are offering free room and board to recent high school grads to help them get on their feet. Our housing is located in upscale neighborhoods, fully furnished, and includes cable television and phones in every room that call anywhere in the U.S.
In order to take advantage of our free room and board, we require that you work for our organization at least 5 days a week. You will be given a weekly per diem. You may come and go as you please after working hours. We only have 2 rooms available so please call or email us as soon as possible if you are interested in joining our program so we can arrange an interview.
Thank you,
Mr. Mom Non-Profit Organization
877-99-MR. MOM (877-996-7666)
high school grads, safe home, cheap housing, fully furnished, free room, room in exchange for work, free housing, cheap rent, housing for young adults, upscale housing,
Posted at Web Link

Be aware. This lady is back. This time she uses a different charity called "1998 MLD 5 Foundation". The address she uses is just a mail center in Manteca.

please do not believe this lady. she used a families sad story in livermore after they asked her not to anymore from what i understand during christmas door to door

I believe this person has visited our home at least three times in the last year, the latest a couple of weeks ago. After dark. Very compelling story and she is quite intense.

The first time I wrote a check for $50, the second $20 cash and the last I declined claiming personal problems. I told her she "was just here!" and asked for literature which I said I would read after she left. The handout says she is the cofounder of the 1998 MLD 5 Foundation. Hmmm

Duped:

Could you get me a copy of that handout?

Email me at gwohltmann@pleasantonweekly.com

Thank you.

The lady has now started going around in Fremont. The new name of her charity is 1998MLD5 Foundation. Came to the door yesterday around dusk when people in the neighborhood were returning from work. Handed her $10.00 but will remember not to, if she comes back.