Members of the public occasionally receive phone calls from people representing themselves as police officers and asking for donations, but how do you know if they are legitimate?
Deputies and members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office do not solicit funds for any outside organizations over the telephone in their official capacity as law enforcement officers. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office does not accept or receive funds from these telemarketing organizations.
While there are many worthy groups and organizations that support law enforcement and their members, remember to always ask phone solicitors if they will send you information on their charity. If they won’t, just hang up. Ask questions such as how they disburse collected funds. Be wary of callers who insist you make a decision “right now” and ask for personal information such as your Social Security number.