SEATTLE — Scammers are phoning residents and pretending to represent a burn foundation to steal credit card information.
The Washington State Council of Firefighters Burn Foundation helps burned children, their families and injured firefighters. The organization recently helped Daniel Lyon, who was badly burned while battling a deadly wildfire in August.
“It’s just shocking to me that someone would even think to do this,” said Jana Worthington, who got called by the fake firefighters three times. “It’s just so arrogant and so wrong in so many ways,” Worthington said.
Melissa Beard, with the WSCFF, said her organization never cold calls asking for cash. They rely on events like auctions and golf outings, according to KIRO TV.
“It irritates me because we work hard to keep a good reputation,” Beard said.
Worthington said the scammers go right after your credit card information over the phone.
“I’ve been around long enough to know that’s a bad idea, but I’m fearful for the people that don’t know that’s a bad idea and think they are donating to a great cause when in fact they’re not,” she said.
If you are called and think it’s a scammer, you can report donation scams here.