RENO — The Financial Crimes Unit of the Reno Police Department and the Reno Fire Department are warning area residents that telephone solicitations for monetary donations that claim to go to “your local fire department” or to help fight fires are fraudulent.  Reno Fire Department spokesman Steve Frady said Tuesday that Reno firefighters do not solicit funds to help fight fires and there are no fire department-related programs underway that seek donations through telephone solicitations.

Financial Crimes Unit Sgt. Scott Dugan said his unit has received several calls of concern about recent solicitations in which the caller reports that donated funds will go to the Reno Fire Department, or the caller's fire department. Dugan says it is impossible to verify the legitimacy of someone representing an organization or so-called charity over the phone.  

“The most important thing is that people should never, ever provide any personal information to anyone over the telephone because that information can and probably will be used for identity theft,” Dugan said.

Dugan suggests residents ask for the solicitor’s full name, formal organization name, telephone number, street address, business address and then search the Internet for information. Residents should also call the Better Business Bureau, check the phone book and other sources to verify the information, Dugan said.

Dugan also suggests area residents ask organizations soliciting donations by phone to mail an information package, including a copy of the organization’s IRS tax-exempt letter and thoroughly reviewing those materials before committing to a financial donation.  

“People responding to phone solicitations have the best intentions, especially at this time of the year, but most of the time they run the risk of giving money to a non-existent or fraudulent organization, or their donation is sent to an organization that is not based locally, and the funds are sent out of state,” he said.