Fundraising Scams

Sheriff issues warning regarding
telephone fund raising scam

Cook County Sheriff Michael F. Sheahan is warning citizens throughout the county to beware of over-the-phone solicitations from callers claiming to represent the Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement groups. Sheahan issued the warning after his office received numerous complaints about telephone solicitations by individuals seeking cash donations for various anti-drug efforts, including the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program. The DARE program in Cook County is funded entirely by the Sheriff's Office and does not rely on any fund raising campaigns.

"The public should know that there is no employee in the Sheriff's Office authorized to solicit money over the phone for any department program," Sheahan said. Police and fire departments throughout the county have reported receiving numerous complaints regarding similar unauthorized solicitations. Those making the solicitations often identify themselves as members of law enforcement agencies, such as the Cook County Sheriff's Office or fraternal police organizations. "Con artists often prey on the goodwill of their victims by claiming to represent charities and crime fighting organizations," Sheahan said. "They have managed to steal millions of dollars from honest citizens by simply using a telephone as their weapon."

While some police unions and other fraternal organizations hire telemarketing firms to conduct fund raising campaigns over the phone, sheriff's deputies and law enforcement officers from other agencies are strictly forbidden to make any solicitations for donations while acting in an official capacity. According to Sheriff's Police investigators, most of the "scam" callers claim they are seeking cash donations for programs aimed at fighting drug abuse among the young. They then offer to come personally to the home to pick up the payment. In some cases, the solicitors have asked the victims to tape the cash donation to their doors for pick-up later that evening. "You should be suspicious of any caller that asks for money," Sheahan said. "No matter how legitimate or worthy a cause might sound, never make a cash donation based solely on a phone conversation with an unfamiliar caller."