I've found a great way to shake off the junk charity callers, you know, those "Disabled Police and Firefighter Association" type calls that try to guilt you into sending some money. By now most people who pay attention to the news are aware that these organizations pay telemarketers huge percentage commissions, to the point that donors would be aghast at how little of their donation actually goes to help the cause.

The IRS requires non-profits, whether or not they're charitable, to provide their Form 990 on request. This form contains information about executive compensation, administration expenses, and other things that a donor might like to see. However, because the junk charities have such high administration overhead costs, they don't really want to share the information.

Crying poor doesn't help get rid of the junk charity callers, they'll be happy getting a $5 or $10 donation that's difficult to say no to if the money were going somewhere worthy.

Hanging up on the callers is rude. Yes, they expect people to hang up on occasion, but they're doing their jobs and trying to earn money, and who wants to deal with rude people at work.

No, the best way to get these people off the phone is by politely stating at the start of the call, "If you're going to ask me for money, I first need to see the organization's IRS Form 990." Some callers will know they've hit a dead end and thank you for your time. Others will tell you where to get it. And yet others will feign ignorance, at which point you really can just hang up because you're already being lied to.

Now you know the secret.