Phone Solicitations

Oak Creek Police Department
Spring/Summer 2007 - Crime Alert Bulletin

Some Oak Creek residents have recently received phone calls from a group identifying themselves as “The OC Sheriff’s Department” whereby the caller attempts to solicit a donation of $20. We want our Oak Creek residents to know that these calls are not being generated by the Oak Creek Police Department, and the legitimacy of these calls is unknown at this time.

With that in mind, we would like to caution all our residents to be very wary of any phone calls or e-mails they receive attempting to solicit donations for any charity or cause. There are legitimate fundraising organizations that are occasionally hired by police unions, police associations, and sometimes crime prevention organizations to coordinate fundraising efforts. Telephone solicitation is one tool that has been used in the past by these hired fundraising organizations. However, more often than not, these solicitations are elaborate scams to trick unsuspecting, good-hearted people out of their hard-earned money or worse, obtain their credit card numbers. If you receive phone calls or e-mails trying to get you to “donate”, DO NOT provide any personal information, including credit card numbers.

If you are interested in making donations to charitable organizations, first do your homework. Take some time to learn about the group or organization in order to ensure their legitimacy and that your donation is being used for the purpose intended. You can be the one to initiate the phone calls or e-mails to the group or organization you may be interested in contributing to. There are many worthy charitable groups right here in the greater Milwaukee area that would welcome your support.

For those who are bothered by unwanted telephone solicitors and wish to diminish or eliminate the calls, check out the “Do Not Call” register at www.donotcall.gov.