Phone Scams Targeting Lee County Religious Organizations

Posted January 3rd, 2012
Written by RPD Staff

Scam artists are notorious for preying upon people who are compassionate and those who value helping others. The criminals’ prime targets are grandparents, nonprofit organizations and religious affiliations. These types of scams put church affiliations in a tough predicament, On the one hand, helping people is their mission, yet they do not want to fall prey to a scam.

In Lee County, Florida, a scammer is targeting area churches posing as a man in desperate need of money to travel to see his dying child. Thankfully, many of the area churches were suspicious, but sadly, several churches provided the man with the funds.

The churches who deemed the call suspicious called the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for assistance. Once the calls were suspected to be fraudulent, the community joined together with the help of the local media and Lee County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Investigators to nab the suspect. The suspect was arrested in the past on other charges and remains in jail.

The Sheriff’s Office is making people aware of the nature of these scammers. Their cons are their way of life and they move from location to location and church to church to find anyone who will fall for their unscrupulous tactics. They tell their heartfelt story of distress and they prey on people who are caring and giving. These actions are not only deplorable because they steal money from unsuspecting people, but also because they steal money away from the people who really need the assistance.

For many people, it’s a common thought to want to help others in need, especially when so many people are suffering financially. But, you should also be aware of the nature of the con artists.

Here are some helpful tips to remember:

It’s perfectly permissible to research a request for money. Never give money without looking into the nature of the request to ensure the need is real. The people who are really in need will understand.
If you are approached by someone who is asking for money for food, buy them food directly at a grocery store or a restaurant instead of giving them cash.
If someone is requesting money to pay a utility bill, pay the utility company directly. Do not hand over cash.
Create a plan to ensure the money you are donating to needy families is used wisely.

The Sheriff’s Department understands that there is a present need in Southwest Florida for financial assistance. Loss of jobs and foreclosures are at an all time high and recovery is moving slower than desired. The state has programs available for people in need through local outreaches. Though it can be challenging to distinguish the criminals from the needy, everyone can still make a difference in the community.