Why Doesn't Craigslist.org Force Charities To Publish Registration Numbers?

Today is Thursday, November 6, 2008. I just posted something onto the craigslist.org nonprofits forum. I have copied it, immediately below.

I have noticed that legitimate and legal nonprofit organizations and charities are legally obligated to post their registration/license/charity numbers in all ads, even on receipts when donations are made. Why are they not obligated to do this on craigslist.org? If they were, the people who wish to make donations could do so, after they checked out whether the alleged organization/charity was legitimate, if they so chose.


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[ 11/06 12:56 ]
mne Charities advertise registration #/Why Not HERE? < SpamAnnoysMe > 11/06/08 12:56

Charities advertise registration #/Why Not HERE? < SpamAnnoysMe > 11/06 12:56:36 Whenever they advertise, charities are legally required to advertise their registration/license number, to prove they are legitimate, even on their websites, receipts, in ads. Why are they not posted here? This is why fake charities, like the one in Skowhegan ME are getting away with fraud.http://sfbay.craigslist.org/forums/?ID=107063804

This is apparently the CL Staffer's reply to my post. I tried to post a reply, to the staffer's reply, but apparently they would not publish it.:

Because no one is advertising here. < nushka > 11/06 13:08:36 And also, this is an international forum and most people are somewhere far from Skowhegan, Maine. I would guess that fake charities get away with fraud not because of orgs failing to post their particulars, they get away with fraud because donors don't do their homework, and then don't report fraud to the state. Talk to your state attorney general's office or corporation division if you know about fraudulent activity.

I attempted to post a reply to the Staffer's reply, but they would not publish it.



I shall attempt to post this to the forum at approximately 6:00 p.m. EST. Let's see what happens, shall we? (The last 2 1/2 lines did not publish):

Isn't Help Forum For Questions Re CL????

Nushka: I searched HELP section to ask questions about LL site. I see other people's questions on help pages in nonprofits f. Couldn't You deduce this is a question about CL ads if posted in forum for such topics?PostingID: 902319551 IS most recent ad of many for fake charity. There are many CL users in Maine who ARE affected by these ads; CL isn't doing anything to protect them, are allowing fake charities to post ads. This is posted under Garage & Moving Sales, but the Poster puts the ads in all categories.Season is ending soon but i hope i can still help and give. (skowhegan,me) Replyto: sale-902319551@craigslist.org Date: 2008-11-01, 9:46PM EDTI havea on going donationa and free area 7 days a week 10 - till dark.If you have not much money its ok you can get few things for say and cost you food for families or critters is all.I'm trying to have a place where we all know times are tough but here at Happy Trails and Tales you can get things and cost is free or donation.NOW let you know all the times here ALL clothes-shoes-books + toys free!!Why spend so much on things even at the organizations which still cost high and kids out grow clothes so much when you can come here and trade or get free i got new and used.I also took in a family and it make me happy to see i can do a little more on helping. So I want to help I'm doing yardsale thing free area-donation area and a selling area for i can help ones here and critters i help out.I want to have this place where people can keep their pets and not go shelter due to lack of food i've help 4 families on this so far. and more i feel coming.so now i'm get vetting degree i'm going to have a place for people get their pets shots not rabies but other ones and cost-a donation is all. So come to 710 Canaan Rd Skowhegan,me 399-9848People in need of clothes and furnitures or house hold things .Anything . even notebooks or coloring books to beds or livestock things. I can use to help here or to others in need.My flea market is very different to others i hope. come see it and if not much money donate dog food,cat food,bird food etc or any type food for kids and families. I do santa Claus letters too FREE all fun i went o over sea's ones last year. so CFMI on that.I want to take time now to thank all who has helped and donated so much and still one wanting to donate + volenteered work here.. and as you see few families wrote to you and thanked you too. i told them it's not just me but us thank you see you's soon and drop offs more then welcomeLocation: skowhegan,



Because no one is advertising here. <> 11/06 13:18:30
And also, this is an international forum and most people are somewhere far from Skowhegan, Maine.
I would guess that fake charities get away with fraud not because of orgs failing to post their particulars, they get away with fraud because donors don't do their homework, and then don't report fraud to the state. Talk to your state attorney general's office or corporation division if you know about fraudulent activity.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/forums/?ID=107066970



Just moments ago, I sent the following e-mail correspondence to Craig Newmark, Clint Powell, and abuse at craigslist.org. I indicated that the e-mail was High Priority and requested a Read Receipt.

Dear Readers, I shall post replies, should I receive them.

----- Original Message -----

From: <_________@hotmail.com>
To: <craig@craigslist.org>
Cc: <clint@craigslist.org>; <abuse@craigslist.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 4:09 PM
Subject: Legal charities/nonprofits are legally required to post charity/registration number. Why not on CL?

> To The Staffer Whom Is Pretending To Be Craig Newmark And Replying To My > Correspondences:> >

You ask ME for proof that this is a scam! Yet you fail to ask the person, > who is perpetrating the scam, for the legitimate > license/registration/charity number? Why is that?> > In all advertising, charities are supposed to provide their > license/registration/charity number. They are also supposed to provide it > on receipts and other documents. Why is this NOT a requirement on CL? This > would help to weed out the scam artists and protect your site users, would > it not?> >

ncerely, Sarah> > > -----

Original Message ----- >
From: <craig@craigslist.org>>
To: <_________@hotmail.com>> Cc: "Clint Powell (Cust Svc Mgr craigslist)" <clint@craigslist.org>> Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 4:06 PM> Subject: Re: [cnewmark] Sarah in Maine submitted a comment to 'Adventure > Cab!'> > >>>> just looked... can you send me some evidence that this is a scam?>>>> Craig



I just checked my e-mail at 6:30 p.m. I have not received an answer, to the question I posed in the e-mail. However, I did receive, what I perceive to be a rather moronic reply, from Clint. Here is it, along with my reply to his reply.:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Clint Powell" <clint@craigslist.org>
To: <_________@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 4:53 PM
Subject: Re: Legal charities/nonprofits are legally required to post charity/registration number. Why not on CL?

> Hey Sarah,> > That's actually Craig's email address, and it's actually Craig. He sits in > the office next to me.> > > Thanks,> Clint> >

**********ORIGINAL TEXT**********> >>
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 16:09:58 -0500>>
From: _________@hotmail.com>>
To: <craig@craigslist.org>>> Cc: <clint@craigslist.org>, <abuse@craigslist.org>>> Subject: Legal charities/nonprofits are legally required to post>> charity/registration number. Why not on CL?>> >> To The Staffer Whom Is Pretending To Be Craig Newmark And Replying To My>> Correspondences:>> >> You ask ME for proof that this is a scam! Yet you fail to ask the person, who>> is perpetrating the scam, for the legitimate license/registration/charity>> number? Why is that?>> >> In all advertising, charities are supposed to provide their>> license/registration/charity number. They are also supposed to provide it on>> receipts and other documents. Why is this NOT a requirement on CL? This would>> help to weed out the scam artists and protect your site users, would it not?>> >> Sincerely, Sarah>> >> >> -----

Original Message -----
From: <craig@craigslist.org>>>
To: <_________@hotmail.com>>> Cc: "Clint Powell (Cust Svc Mgr craigslist)" <clint@craigslist.org>>> Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 4:06 PM>> Subject: Re: [cnewmark] Sarah in Maine submitted a comment to 'Adventure Cab!'>> >> >> >>> > just looked... can you send me some evidence that this is a scam?>> >>> > Craig



I just posted this comment to Craig Newmark's blog (approximately 6:14 p.m.). Like with the e-mail, I shall post any reply, well of course if there is a reply.....


When nonprofit organizations and charities advertise, they are legally required to post their registration/charity/license number. Why is this not enforced on craigslist.org? If it was, then the fake charity in Skowhegan, ME would not be allowed to post multiple ads in various categories and subsequently "fleece" the good, kind, hard-working people of the state. Ad ID 902319551 is an example.

I found this truly AMAZING blog, by Delia, who also posted to Craig Newmark's blog. Check it out for yourself. It is informative, entertaining, insightful, I could go on. The link is
http://craigslistcriticism.blogspot.com/2008/11/knowledge-of-illegality-is-craigslist.html.