It was once a legitimate organization, but since the founder’s death, someone has taken over the name and website to fraudulently solicit and spend donations, Sheriff Gene Kelly said. A Delaware County man alerted authorities about the scam after sending two checks totaling $95 to the organization, Kelly said.
The organization has directed donations to a postal box in Virginia. Authorities there are investigating and believe the scam artists have targeted people in southwest Ohio.
With the 2011 deaths of Clark County Deputy Suzanne Hopper and Warren County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Dulle, Kelly said he’s concerned the scammers may use those tragedies to take advantage of people.
“These individuals utilize that sympathy to raise money to put in their pockets and not help law enforcement at all,” he said.
Residents were angry to hear people are preying on people’s sympathies.
“It’s pretty bad. I mean, you shouldn’t do that to people,” said Brian Ward. “But people do it all the time, so you just have to learn to watch out for that kind of stuff.”
Kelly said he’s called the phone number associated with the organization, but did not speak with anyone. He warned residents to check every charity’s validity with the Better Business Bureau before making a donation.
“When in doubt, make the call to your local law enforcement agency,” he said. “Verify that your dollars — your hard-earned dollars — are going to the charity and the cause that you want.”
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