My Son Got Sucked in by Greenpeace

Yesterday afternoon, on only his second day of Uni, my son was approached by a Greenpeace rep. The dude asked my son (Josh) to donate $1. When Josh said he didn't have any money, the dude told him he could donate online and shoved an ipad in his face. Josh was nervous he was going to be late for his lecture and didn't want to be rude, so he signed up for what he thought was $1. Turns out, he signed up for $35 per month. He was definitely misled by the dude. Josh closed his account so they can't take any more money and asked the dude for a refund. Dude said his manager would call. No call so far. I have called Greenpeace directly, emailed and messaged on Facebook, as well as posting on their page. This is what I posted (again and again):

Gonna keep posting this until I get a response. Yesterday afternoon, my son was ambushed by one of your charity muggers and asked to donate $1. When he said he didn't have any cash, he was told he could donate online and he signed up to donate $1. It was not made clear to him that he was actually donating $35 on an ongoing basis. The money has already been deducted from his account. Not informing him of the amount and the frequency of the donations is in clear violation of the Fundraising Appeals Act 1998 PART 2—PROVISIONS APPLYING TO ALL FUNDRAISING APPEALS 7. False statements while seeking donations (1) In conducting or participating in a fundraising appeal, a person must not make or give any representation or oral or written statement in relation to the appeal to another person that misleads or deceives, or that is likely to mislead or deceive— (a) the other person; or (b) anyone else to whom the other person may make, repeat or give the representation or oral or written statement. Penalty: In the case of a corporation, 15 240 penalty units. In any other case, 120 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months or both. I have emailed and called your organisation about this matter and am looking forward to receiving a refund in a timely manner.

Still waiting on any sort of response from them. I know they have read at least one message on FB. What else can we do?

Related Stores

greenpeace.org.au
greenpeace.org.au

Comments

        • It's 'no hablo inglés' if you are talking about yourself.

          'No habla inglés' is saying 'you/he/she doesn't speak english.

      • Just reply: "Sorry, I don't speak English."

        Preferably with a refined elocution.

      • When asked if they can ask me a question, I buy my waltz by time with the response "You just did". It's usually throws them off just enough for you to make it past them.

    • +4

      "I already donate to Westmead Children's Hospital."

      "I sponsor two kids already at home."

    • +3

      When I was 17 in year 12 I was asked by chugger to donate, but I knew from previous conversations I couldn't donate being under 18. So, my reply was "I'm only 17" and he quickly moved on to the mid 40s guy behind me…. Who also said "I'm only 17". It worked for him too, they left him alone! :)

  • +8

    Thanks for all the responses. Yep, I know he's a bit soft and sheltered, but I feel for him. This $35 was part of the $50 he got from his grandma on Sunday for his birthday. The first thing I asked him was 'have you not learned a thing from watching me ignore all of these type of people in shopping centres?'. Obviously he didn't. I've now reiterated to not make eye contact and have already mentioned that it might end up being an expensive lesson for him. I'm just annoyed that these organisations keep getting away with lying to get donations. Seems to me that it takes away from any good they may be doing. I also acknowledge that I may have overreacted and will wait until they respond. Also, he tried to dispute the transaction before closing the account but NAB told him they couldn't do anything as he signed the online form.

    • +18

      You know that these type of situations don't just happen on the street from charity muggers, these kind of manipulative behaviour/skills exist from relationships to jobs/careers. It's not just teaching to ignore charity muggers, but to think about what is actually happening and why.

    • +19

      This $35 was part of the $50 he got from his grandma on Sunday for his birthday.

      Looks like its time for his first job..
      $50 from a paycheck or a grandma does not change a thing. It's time for your boy to stop being sheltered.
      Falling softly now to get back up is better than falling harder later.
      I learnt my lesson when I donated $4 "for the bus mate" to a hobo in the city.

      • scammers usually target students/young people, they know they're not experienced in life.

        Its not about being sheltered, being told not to do this and that, is different from actually experiencing it.

        Its the same reason work places dodgers always load up the new worker with work,

    • +2

      Don't you think closing an account is a bit far for $35? come on… if you're closing your account over $35 how can you afford to go to uni? How can he afford to pay for his car?

    • +22

      I've now reiterated to not make eye contact

      I don't like this way of thinking. I think a better way would be to teach him to be frugal with his money and to ALWAYS read the fine print. Be assertive, not ignorant. If he wants to donate to charity, do research, ask questions (obviously don't always believe the salesman).

      Just making him shy away from confrontation will not teach him life lessons about how to deal with social manipulation.

      If you're not interested, just smile and say no thanks while briskly walking away. It's not hard to be nice rather than ignorant. I often smile/make a face and say nothing, while continue to walk past them. Usually makes them smile back.

      • +4

        Could not agree more.

        It's important to teach kids to handle the situation rather than just completely ignore it.

        Yes there may be times where ignoring is the option, but most of the time, the whole experience from eye contact, talking to them, building the confidence to say no and walking away is well worth it for building social skills and confidence.

    • +2

      I can absolutely relate to his situation. Friendly, kind and helpful people sometimes face the worst people of mankind. I hope that in the end it all turns out fine for your son.

  • +3

    I use one of two answers for these street canvassers:

    I'm already a supporter (if true), or

    I'll look at your website later and consider it, I have to run (if not)

    Both answers cannot be countered.

    The lesson for your son is don't make spending decisions in a hurry; there is time to consider even if the cause is worthy.

    • +2

      I ask them if they can find the CEO's salary in X many minutes. Charities are transparent organisations, right. Truth is they bury the salaries deep within the annual reports. It's really not easy to find, even though it should be.

    • +7

      I usually say (profanity) off.

      Also giving money to a random stranger that accosts you in the street is stupidity.

    • +4

      Or ask them if they have signed up themselves & ask for proof - if you're not signed up, why are you expecting me to?

      • +3

        "Are you being paid to do this?"

        "If it's such a good cause, why don't you work another job and donate your time to fund-raising"?

  • +18

    I use this answer. The world is over populated and they can all die. And BIG smile.

    • +3

      Harsh but fair

    • +3

      Some men just want to watch the world burn. >:D

      • +1

        it's not that I want to see the world burn. I just like to see the reaction on their faces.

    • +4

      The world is over populated and they can all die.

      In some Sub-Saharan African countries the total fertility rate is over 6 children per woman.

      Any assistance without contraception will arguably cause more human suffering.

      • fertility rate is lower when among educated people or people with money.

    • +3

      My standard reaction to a few Christian door-knockers/street pushers, when asked "Are you familiar/have you read, the bible?" is "LOTR/Game of thrones was way better".

      If they push further, I say I'm pro-choice, pro-same sex marriage and that I strongly feel religion is an anachronism and has no place in the modern society. This is enough to get them to disengage. Jocular, relatively polite and firm dismissal.

      • +2

        Just tell them youre a Scientologist. That should end the conversation

        If they ask about it, say the first rule of Scientology is never talk about it

  • +3

    In the future tell your son to pretend to be on the phone when walking past chuggers. They ignore me 100% of the time when I pretend to take a call.

    Also, Greenpeace don't hire the chuggers directly, they engage with a face-to-face agency to do it on their behalf. Those agencies target backpackers and other workers who are silly or desperate enough to work for only commission (they get around labour laws by employing them as contractors, although that's been cracked down on).

    Greenpeace will shirk their responsibility by claiming it's not them, it's the agency.

    Why do NFPs use chuggers when they know they're universally hated? Because they work. F2F is, unfortunately, some of the easiest way to collect donations. I doubt you'll get a response from Greenpeace, they're well aware of the chuggers tactics and prefer to keep their heads in the sand about it because it'd add millions in donations each year.

    • Greenpeace will shirk their responsibility by claiming it's not them, it's the agency.

      Yes that's what they've been doing for years and years. Anyone who thinks these extremist idiots aren't fully aware of it is silly.

    • +4

      Hunter Bailey is one of these chugging companies. If anyone is looking for a job, stay far, far away from HB

    • +4

      I don't bother with any tactics, just tell them "no thanks" then ignore them. I love leaving them hanging when they hold out their hand for a handshake.

    • Tried it several times as well, but it does not work anymore. Their attitude is so pushy that they are trying to run after you with shouting: "Are you pretending to be on the phone so you don´t have to talk to me?". Happened last time to me.

      • +6

        Tried it several times as well, but it does not work anymore. Their attitude is so pushy that they are trying to run after you with shouting: "Are you pretending to be on the phone so you don´t have to talk to me?". Happened last time to me.

        Look them in the eye and say "Yes". That should get most of em to bugger off. ;)

        • +1

          Good reply, will give it a try next time. :-)

  • +1

    Usually a sorry I'm not interested or I'm running late to class works for me.

  • +3

    What else can we do?

    Did a Google search on charity misconduct and there's a list of Federal and State agencies that you can try ringing for advice:
    http://www.acnc.gov.au/ACNC/About_ACNC/Site_information/List…

    It's not Greenpeace the organisation that is dodgy, its only the representative your son met. In complaints to Greenpeace and agencies help them identify and track down the representative by giving as much detail such as location, date, time, the sale team's size, etc.

    Josh was nervous he was going to be late for his lecture and didn't want to be rude, so he signed up for what he thought was $1.

    There's many lessons to be gained from this experience. Think of the $35 as tuition/investment in your son's street education.

    • yeah nah greenpeace are scum

  • What else can we do?

    Take some personal responsibility. Your son should have read what he was agreeing to donate. He is an idiot for providing payment details when it wasn't clear what he was paying.

  • Sounds similar to Red Cross. 2 people came doorknocking and were asking me questions while filling in their ipad. Asked if I wanted to sign up, and I said I'll feel safer doing it online after some research (they could very well be scammers dressing in Red Cross shirts), and they were INSISTING 'this ipad is COMPLETELY SAFE, dont worry, this is… (blabla i cant remember)', and I was thinking wtf, i'm not putting in my details into YOUR ipad. After I told them that the girl got angry and lashed 'just delete everything then' and walked away. Now I feel no guilt at saying no and just shutting the door in their faces :)

    • You need a Do Not Knock sign or sticker from the ACCC:

      https://www.accc.gov.au/publications/door-to-door-do-not-kno…

      • The sign is aimed at salespeople supplying goods or services for trade or commerce and does not cover other door knockers such as religious groups or charity fundraisers.

        • +2

          Damn!

          In that case I'd make my own which explicitly deterred proselytisers and fundraisers.

        • @Scrooge McDuck:

          I bet yours will be better!!!

        • +1

          @Scrooge McDuck: My friend always loves messing with proselytisers. He invites them in, then acts schizophrenic saying stuff like "What's that precious??? You likes to eats the chubby one?!? …"

  • +1

    I'm pretty sure there is a cooling off period for this sort of thing.

  • +1

    Hahaha, I learnt my life lessons from the middle of high school onwards on my own… I would be too embarrassed to tell my parents some of the stuff I got up to :)

  • +2

    There's a scam going around where an Indian sounding call center worker calls you and quickly blurts out that they're running a survey for 'Woolworths' about five charities that you would consider supporting.

    If you answer yes then they run off five charities and require a yes/no answer. The scam part comes later, when their accomplice calls from Red Cross or whatever and asks which plan you would like to sign up for, $50 per month, $100 per month, or more etc. If you protest that you never agreed to fork out money to this alleged charity, the scammer says 'but sir, when my colleague called you you said you would support this charity!'. They get quite aggressive and keep insisting for a credit card number.

    At the very least the scammers are generating leads that earn a few cents for them, but it's quite likely the 'charity' you're supporting is just the scammer's own account. If you encounter these people on the phone, feel free to educate them with a variety of four letter words.

    • +1

      feel free to educate them with a variety of four letter words.

      Better to tell them you're very interested before placing them on hold indefinitely to waste their time.

    • +1

      Can't one just put down the phone?

      If I get an unsolicited calls

      1) I don't say anything and wait for the other side to speak first. If it is somebody who is genuinely looking for me they will speak first. I think there are cold call bots that are voice activated. I.E no operators are waiting for you to pick up the call. The machine only connects once they detect your voice (I've tried this and usually theres nothing and after a few seconds the call cuts.

      2) If I forget and say happen to say hello? My next sentence is usually "whats this about" if it is a cold call I just put the phone down right away.

      My time is far too precious.

  • +7

    I have power scammers call me all the time….If Im bored I drag them out for ages with useless questions and talking in circles…. its a lot of fun actually.

    If you get one to blow their stack once they work out you have been wasting their time that's like the cherry on top!

    • +2

      I do the same and try to escalate it so the initial caller has to involve their supervisor.

      They never blow their top because I'm extremely polite. I just continually correct them on Microsoft licensing+billing, insurance/liability laws, state-vs-federal laws, non-existent government departments, …, etc.

      Some telephone scammers have big egos and try not to hang up. I always get transferred to at least 1 supervisor/technical expert. If lucky they transfer me to a 3rd person, a scam trainer. If I'm ultra lucky the scam trainer will speakerphone for multiple colleagues to listen. I'm able to waste all their time till the scam trainer runs out of ideas, then it goes into circular arguments till the trainer get bored and hangs up.

      • That's a lot of time to be wasted for both parties.

        • Hey if mumbles has the time and enjoys it, why not?

        • @Spooked:
          Then good on him! But personally I'd prefer saving time and reduce the amount of stress involved. I think it's a lot of headache and energy talk to different parties just to waste their time.

  • Does your son have a job? The donation is probably tax deductible.

    • +4

      Unless he earns over the tax-free threshold, which is unlikely, it would not help by 1 cent. You do know how tax deductions work, don't you?

      • That comment was probably a joke…

        • +2

          Hopefully. A lot of people are still under the misunderstanding that if something is tax deductible you receive that amount back, whereas you just receive your marginal tax rate back.

        • +1

          @Daabido:
          Thus its actually less of an impact on a high income earner.

  • Your son learned a valuable lesson on day two of uni; it was $35 bucks but I bet he won't do that again… :)

  • +1

    I hope everyone realises that any charity that uses street muggers pays 25% to 50% of all money collected to the FOR PROFIT Marketing company that recruits and handles the street muggers.

    So up to half your donation is going to a backpackers pay (commission only rip off pay at that) AND the profits of a marketing company.

    Then you have all the running costs of the charity itself = ?%

    So, how much of your donation do you really think is making it to where it is actually needed ???

    [I completely understand charities have operating costs BUT THEY SHOULD BE COMPLETELY OPEN ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR DONATION]

  • Pity with "high school students" is that they know everything and have every answer to every problem in the world and that adults know nothing. You can rarely have a discussion with them where they are prepared to listen/learn because they already have all the answers.
    My son worked for Pure Prospects for 9 very, very long, hot days and made $120. I knew from the outset what was going on. He thought he'd crack the big one. He wouldn't listen. Awful, horrible company. No wonder there has been an enquiry into these agencies.

  • +1

    in my time on this planet, having dealt with these situations, i have learned to trust no one. anyone trying to sell you something, or asking for a donation, i treat as a scam. "no thank you" with a smile and ill be on my way, which i am more than within my rights to do :)

    unsure if they are still around, but i would be interested to see how your son deals with a road intersection window cleaner, took me a while to figure out how to decline their services :D

    • Please share your secret! I still pay a window cleaner even if I say no and they still do it :(

      • Well you know.. Every car has a horn..
        Waving your hands and glaring at them with a crazy face works too

        • I live in Canberra… It's so small that it's likely I'll bump into these guys on the street, and they're usually not very nice people. Lol don't want to make myself memorable!

        • +1

          @cantoangel:

          The secret is to have clean windows…

        • @WT: lol ahh see I do, but these window washers just do it and make them even dirtier!

      • +1

        Most things in life, its all about mindset: if you pull up to the lights, and then see a window cleaner, make it 100% clear in your mind, that no matter what, you will not pay him. Not at all. Now, even if he rocks up, points, just stay firm with saying no, verbally and physically. Look like you mean it. You dont have to act like a crazy person, waving your hands, yelling, pointing etc But if your physical demeanor is of someone who is confident and will not pay them, they will move on. Almost like a child throwing a tantrum, if you pretty much ignore their presence, they will stop trying to get your attention.

        • +1

          there are some people who say no and refuse to pay, but then the window cleaner starts getting aggressive. Spitting, kicking and one had a knife pulled out on him. sigh, druggos..

      • +1

        once I saw a lady switch on her windscreen wiper when she said no but the guy still approached, he backed away. Have been doing that ever since with a high success rate :)

        • Lol both approaches are good!

  • who registers online just for a $1 donation ? its certainly more time that what it is worth doing so. I just now wave my hand and say no and walk on, im a nice guy but from experience i know how pushy these ppl are.

  • +3

    Walk around with a look in your eye that suggests you might be a little unglued. I find this keeps the chuggers at bay. Chuggers are a scourge on modern society. Quite frankly I rate "charities" and other organisations based on their use of chuggers … if they use them I see them as not worthy of my $$$$.

  • +1

    this

    The dude asked my son (Josh) to donate $1. When Josh said he didn't have any money, the dude told him he could donate online and shoved an ipad in his face. Josh was nervous he was going to be late for his lecture and didn't want to be rude, so he signed up for what he thought was $1

    is very different to this

    When he said he didn't have any cash, he was told he could donate online and he signed up to donate $1. It was not made clear to him that he was actually donating $35 on an ongoing basis.

    did he actually "sign up to donate $1" but hidden in the fine text was the disclaimer that it would also sign him up for an ongoing $35 subscription starting immediately or did he simply not read a dam thing when presented the ipad and just filled out a form giving away his payment details, ones a questionable practice that borderlines on scam the other your sons an idiot

  • +1

    Welcome to the real world

  • +1

    Ha. I know my mother would ring the charity and ask how long is he expected to donate which is usually at least a year considering the fees. Then she would say to me you're donating for a year, bad luck.
    This is called a life lesson, short term pain for long term gain.

    I work for a charity, you will find they put stuff on the forms or iPad to dissuade people that don't want to donate long term.
    So much time is wasted by people who will sign anything but then won't take responsibility for it.

    • +1

      A charity or a private marketing company who tells you to say you are working for a charity? The latter is more common.

    • +4

      This sounds a bit extreme, but my parents would make me cancel the direct debit myself and do all the running around to fix up the mistake. Its important that kids are taught to take responsibility for their actions and parents don't bail them out, especially when they are old enough to do so.

  • +1

    The best response is to keep walking, smile and say "sorry, I am already signed up for Greenpeace donations" (or whatever is on their shirt).
    They cannot even argue that.

  • Don't give money to backpackers you'll just encourage them - it's enabling.

    More seriously - my most hated tactic of Street hustlers is when they stand in your way or place their hand of clipboard in your path.

    Generally I walk brisky as if they weren't there, and stare at them as I approach with a look that says "you better not touch me".

    They step out of the way at the last second like bullfighters. OK that's my rant…

  • +1

    "No thanks" and keep walking. They are fine to ignore after this or you can go a bit more passive aggressive with an eye roll.

  • Personally, if I'm approached I don't say anything, don't make eye contact and just keep walking. Simple.

  • I like the surf life saving pests, they seem to think they're savings small children directly from sharks, doing the lords work, can't argue with that except when you tell them 'i did my time' they dont like it, and out comes the sarcasm

  • +9

    if i got handed an ipad from a charity i would of run off with it.

  • +2

    What surprises me most about this is that OP is old enough to have a son in Uni and listens to A Day To Remember.

    • Maybe he is the son!

  • +2

    His university education just paid for itself on the first day! Well done.

  • Just tell him to walk straight past these pests. At most I say "no sorry" and walk around.

  • There is so many charity org the least I would donate money to Greenpeace. And if I do donate it would be directly to that charity not those muggers on the street.

  • +2

    Your best option is to stop fighting your sons battles, you can advise him on what to do but you should leave it up to him to make his own choices.

  • I remember the time when a Red Cross rep come to the door and I said I couldn't spare a dime because I was saving up for a house deposit then.

    Then they mentioned the "dollar a day per month". Which I said I'll only do a month then cancel. When I looked at my transactions, I was charged $35. What month has 35 days?

    Then they call you up a few months after trying to get you to add an extra $10 a month on top of that and try and guilt trip you by giving you some sad story.

    I keep saying no but they won't budge then I just hang up. Stop effing harassing me

  • +1

    I won't donate cash but I don't mind donating time and or materials to help. Dog shelters are always in need of things like blankets.

  • -1

    Or you could breed dogs,
    and give them to put in the shed

    • +2

      Start posting again once you mature :)

Login or Join to leave a comment