North Shore Rescue files lawsuit against group behind alleged fundraising scam
North Shore Rescue (NSR) announced this week that they are suing the Search and Rescue Society of BC (SARBC), after learning SARBC was using NSR’s name to get donations from people.
In an online post, North Shore Rescue’s Curtis Jones outlined the organization’s reasons for the lawsuit:
Recently North Shore Rescue (NSR) raised a public alert that we do not solicit donations via the telephone.
Following this, we have come to believe that SARBC, and people authorized by SARBC, have (or are) engaged in a telephone solicitation campaign seeking donations for their organization. In their telephone campaign it appears as though they have represented to potential donors that they are calling on behalf of NSR or other bona fide SAR teams (as represented by the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association), or that funds raised will be sent to NSR and/or other bona fide SAR teams.
Jones also confirmed in the post that NSR is “not aware” of SARBC providing any of the services it claims to.
He added that SARBC hasn’t assisted NSR in any search and rescue operation.
We understand that SARBC has engaged in these telephone solicitation campaigns for several years. They used paid fundraisers to make these calls on their behalf. You can see the SARBC Registered Charity filings with the Canada Revenue Service here.
Prior to commencing this lawsuit, legal counsel for NSR attempted to get answers to a number of questions from SARBC and that organization has so far refused to answer those questions. We regret that it has come to this point, but we now feel compelled to take this legal step. This confusion regarding SARBC has been long-standing and in need of correction.
The notice of the Civil Claim is available to view online here.
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