And The Beat Goes On

Fraudsters never stop in their efforts to separate people from their money. Charity fraud is something to pay special attention to during this holiday season.

Sheriff warns of donation fraud

By Kelly Townsend
The Times-Journal

Published December 28, 2007

Someone is making fraudulent calls for donations claiming to be with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, and Sheriff Jimmy Harris is warning of the fraud.

“The Mounted Unit’s Christmas for Kids program is not soliciting money by telephone in the community,” Harris said. “We have received reports from several citizens that they have had telephone calls from individuals in which their banking information is requested in order to give donations for the Sheriff’s Department Christmas charity.”

Harris said reports of the fraudulent calls came in before and after Christmas.

“But at this point we haven’t any reports of anyone who has fallen for the scam,” Harris said.

Harris said Christmas for Kids never requested donations by telephone.

“In fact, we encourage people to never give out personal information over the telephone,” Harris said.

Harris said if anyone receives a call to, get as much information as possible and report it to deputies.

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Copyright © 2007 The Times-Journal