Phone Scam Aimed at Homeschoolers
The note below, which recently went out to state homeschool leaders, shares about a phone scam targeted at homeschoolers.
Dear State Leader,
It has come to our attention that multiple homeschool leaders have received phone calls from a person falsely saying they are from the Home School Foundation.
This caller, who is believed to be male but identifies himself as a woman, will often claim to be calling from the Home School Foundation and indicate that you have been nominated for a grant or award of some sort. This individual usually states that “she” has 10 children and a degree in psychology, before proceeding to ask questions about your family’s homeschool practices to follow up on the grant/award that you have been “nominated” for. The questions quickly get around to your disciplinary methods and practices. Please note, HSF has no need to ask you about your disciplinary methods with your children!
If you are ever on the phone with someone saying they are from HSF and you become even slightly suspicious, or if the questions don’t directly relate to the work of the Foundation (i.e., helping families homeschool through hard times), please ask for a name and number and offer to call back. The Foundation’s number is 540-338-8688. If you are given a different number and/or receive a call from an individual that fits the above description, please alert us immediately!
We are trying our best to find out who this caller is and stop him from harassing homeschoolers in our name. This is not actually a new issue; we had a similar situation many years ago and came close to finding the caller before he went underground. This may be the same person.
If you receive such a phone call, write down the date, time and as much information as you can about the caller. Personal information disclosed by the caller and the questions he asked would be helpful. Also collect any information displayed on your caller ID or obtained from tracing the phone number (often by dialing *69). Contact HSLDA or HSF with this information and we will collect it to help authorities in their attempt to track this individual down.
If you have any details that may help us find out more about this caller, please email them to info@homeschoolfoundation.org with “impersonator” in the subject line.
Also, please forward this e-mail on to other homeschool leaders you know—if people are aware of the issue ahead of time, we are more likely to stop it.
Thank you,
Mike Smith, President
Blog @ July 27, 2010 | General | Comments (0)
Sono Harris Update and Request
From: John Collins
Date: Monday, June 28, 2010, at 2:19 p.m.
Subject: Dear Friends of Gregg and Sono Harris and Family
Dear Friends of the Harris Family,
I am sending this message to you with confidence that you will act and pass it along and together we can make a difference!
Over the years as a home educating father, I have been mentored, encouraged, and inspired by Gregg & Sono Harris and their incredibly talented family: Joshua, Joel, Alex, Brett, Sarah, Isaac and James. You are probably familiar with Gregg and Sono’s tireless efforts to encourage and create in-roads for homeschooling over the last three decades. Josh gave young adults a biblical approach to dating by penning I Kissed Dating Good-Bye and most recently God has used Alex and Brett to encourage youth to Do Hard Things.
About a month ago, I was in a hotel room in South Africa when I first heard that Sono was diagnosed with stage IV cancer. I can remember dropping to my knees in my room and crying out to God to have mercy on her.
How has the Harris family dealt with this life-changing event? Although difficult beyond words, they have walked through this with the same grace and courage as they have other challenges; by seeking and trusting in almighty God. You can read Joshua’s latest updates on his blog here. www.joshharris.com
At the end of last week I spoke with Gregg. He shared that God has been very gracious toward Sono in that she has experienced very little pain, however, he also shared that her body is weakening and she speaks of seeing Jesus soon. Although they have not been given any indication as to timing, Gregg said that it could be any time now.
As the devoted husband and Godly family leader that he is, Gregg has stepped down from his speaking engagements and away from his daily business responsibilities to care for his wife. Obviously this has taken a major toll on their household income and the medical bills are mounting. Gregg mentioned to me that he believed some homeschool organizations were trying to gather donations for the family. According to Gregg “now is better than later,” and I believe the truth is — action needs to happen quite quickly to help save this dear family from more distress.
Each year in his annual “How to End the Year” blog, Doug Phillips, President of Vision Forum Ministries, reminds me to remember those individuals and ministries who have invested in my family’s life. In Luke 17, Jesus teaches us of those ungrateful recipients of blessings who simply went their way without demonstrating gratitude, and Doug’s challenge stems from that concept. “When was the last time I responded to their investment in my life with gratitude, blessings, and even money?”
If the Harris family has been an encouragement or an inspiration to you and your family, would you consider responding to their investment in your life at this time of need?
Cards and notes can be sent to:
Gregg and Sono Harris and family – 6920 SE Hogan Road, Gresham, OR 97080
You can also donate to Noble Institute, marking the donation Friends of Sono Harris Fund. www.nobleinstitute.org
It is my prayer that we, as the body of Christ, would pour out our love and comfort and help “bear one another’s burdens” with the Harrises.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to forward to others as you feel led.
Grace and peace,
John and Kristi Collins
The Extreme Group, Inc.
Blog @ July 3, 2010 | General | Comments (0)