Coos County, OR — Authorities warn residents about a scam involving fake donation requests for police ballistic vests.
According to the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, officials recently learned that flyers have allegedly been circulating throughout the county asking residents to donate money to help purchase ballistic vests for sheriff’s deputies and other local officers.
The sheriff’s office said the request is not legitimate and emphasized that the agency does not solicit funds from residents in this manner.
“This is a scam,” the Coos County Sheriff’s Office stated in a public notice. Officials warned residents to be cautious if approached about donating to law enforcement equipment through flyers, unsolicited requests, or unfamiliar organizations.
According to the sheriff’s office, legitimate funding for officer safety equipment is handled through official budgets, approved grants, or verified community partnerships — not through random public fundraising appeals.
Authorities said residents should carefully research any organization or event requesting money, particularly if it claims to support law enforcement or emergency services.
Scams involving fake charitable requests can spread quickly through printed materials or online posts, especially when they reference community safety or public service organizations.
Officials are urging residents who encounter these flyers or receive suspicious requests for donations to avoid sending money and report the information to local law enforcement.
Community alerts like this can also affect younger residents and commuters who may encounter flyers in public places such as campuses, workplaces, or transit areas.
The sheriff’s office said public awareness is the best defense against scams targeting community goodwill.
Anyone with information about the alleged scam is encouraged to contact the Coos County Sheriff’s Office.
