State Patrol warns of Amber Alert scam
Dec 18, 2012, 5:02 PM | Updated: 5:19 pm
The State Patrol says scammers are trying to get money by claiming to raise funds for Amber Alerts. (AP image)
(AP image)
If you get a call from someone claiming to be raising money to support “Amber Alerts,” it’s a scam.
The Washington State Patrol put out a warning Tuesday after getting a number of reports about the solicitations. The callers claim the money being raised goes to support the AMBER Alert program, including that 30 percent of the funds are for overhead costs associated with the program.
At least one of the calls claimed to be on behalf of the WSP. But the department does not rely on public donations for the system, according to WSP Lt. Ron Mead.
Mead said while WSP oversees the AMBER Alert system in Washington State, most local agencies across the state have their own approved plans, which are implemented when a child is abducted or goes missing under suspicious circumstances.
“Neither WSP, local agencies, nor anyone on our behalf is soliciting funds to support the AMBER Alert system in Washington State,” Mead said.
Unfortunately, there isn’t enough information or leads to launch an investigation. Mead suggested checking out any charity before you donate by going to the Washington state Secretary of State’s website to identify a legitimate cause.
