Beware of Fundraising Scam

Tiverton residents are being targeted in an alleged fundraising scam that a Barrington man said he believes targeted him about a year ago.

"These are the same people, I think, who almost conned me last year," said the Barrington man. "Actually said 'yes' when I asked if the caller was with the Barrington Police Department."

The tipoff was their insistance that I leave a check in my mailbox, which they would pick up personally in the morning," he told Patch in an email.

"Lately, I've been getting calls two to three calls per day (no message) from caller ID "RI FOP"....exactly what the caller ID said last year. The number is 401-209-6731. Probably the same scam....if so, people should probably know."

In Tiverton the telephone solicitors are seeking donations for a "local" fire department, which Fire Chief Chief Robert Lloyd said is not currently involved in fundraising campaigns.

At least one elderly Tiverton woman fell victim to the scam, and recieved a bill for $25, according to Lloyd. Repeated attempts by Lloyd to contact the company remain unanswered, but Lloyd said he linked the scam telephone number to a Wisconsin-based fundraising company.

According to the RI Attorney General's office, the company retains 93 percent of all donations earned, forwarding just 7 percent to the charitable organization.