Scholarship Scam? (Hillsborough: apartment, house, discount)

[vulfpeck]

Some kids came by today selling retail discount cards for the "Carolina Bright Future Scholarship Program". The brochure lists campusrush-tcbf where the site says it's run by Education Dream, Inc. When I look up that group, I see that it was incorporated last year out of an apartment on Hillsborough Street. Looks sketch. Scam?

[RaleighLass]

Looks like the organization is using the kids by having them sell the cards and "say" they provide them scholarships which looks like paying them if they make sales. Kids can "Join" the organization and must attend "fundraisers" twice per week to get certain benefits. I was once in the non profit world, I am not comfortable with how this group presents themselves on their site.


When a group like this names themselves similar to another non profit group who has legitimacy - files form 990 and is on Guidestar, this is a big red flag as they are hoping you will get the two mixed up.

[guest12]

They came by house a month or so ago - two or three of them were knocking on doors, and an older heavy-set gentleman with a cane was leaning against my trashcan by the street instructing them (or yelling from the street) as to what to do. Honestly, I've had some creepy things happen in terms of solicitors, and this one won the creepiest award. Even the kid trying to make the pitch seemed uncomfortable with it!