Daily, people in nearly every community put their lives on the line to protect our lives and property. First responders often work with low pay, in dangerous situations and with little or no recognition despite performing daily heroic acts.
Many first-responder units are supported by charities that raise funds to help those injured in the line of duty, as well as helping family members who are left behind when a first responder dies in the line of duty. Over the past decades, charity organizations have also helped finance the purchase of needed equipment, funded counseling services and helped support first responders’ kids’ education.
But we are increasingly hearing about “charities” calling people to request donations but are really scams designed to appeal to donors’ emotions and appreciation for the work of first responders.
Recently, the president of the Mississippi Firefighters Association issued a warning regarding this phone scam. According to WDAM TV, John Pope (also the chief of the Collins Fire Department) said scammers have been calling people across the state asking for donations for his organization and other groups. And some of these groups don’t even exist.
“We’re just trying to get the word out to let people know that these groups are not valid groups and we’re trying to prevent people from being conned or scammed into giving money to a group that is not going toward the intended purpose that they thought they were giving to,” Pope said.
He also said that callers are claiming to represent the following groups:
- Mississippi Firefighters Association
- Mississippi Fallen Firefighters Memorial
- Mississippi Fallen Firefighters Association
- Mississippi Firefighters and EMS Charitable Fund
- Mississippi Firefighters Fund Charity.
Credit: https://eu.clarionledger.com; https://www.wdam.com
