Herscher, IL – Village officials are urging residents to be on alert after multiple reports of suspicious phone calls requesting donations for the Herscher Fire Department.
According to a statement posted by Herscher Fire on social media Saturday, residents have allegedly been receiving unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to represent the department. Officials clarified that the fire department only sends its official donation mailer once a year in the spring and never solicits funds over the phone.
Authorities are asking residents who receive these calls to immediately report them to the Herscher Police Department. The department stressed the importance of not providing any personal or financial information to unknown callers.
While phone-based charity scams are a common tactic for fraudsters, officials say this latest wave appears to be targeting residents specifically in and around the Herscher area of Kankakee County. The Federal Trade Commission advises residents to verify all charitable solicitations by contacting the organization directly using publicly listed contact information.
Law enforcement agencies also encourage residents to record call details when possible, including the phone number, name given by the caller, and any specific donation instructions. This information can help authorities track and investigate fraudulent schemes.
Officials emphasize that the legitimate Herscher Fire Department values community support and only conducts its annual fundraising through secure, verifiable methods.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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