Livingston County, MI – Residents across Livingston County are being urged to use caution when donating to veteran-related causes, as officials warn of a growing number of fraudulent groups posing as legitimate charities, often targeting customers at local businesses.
According to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and Livingston County Veterans Services, scammers have been placing donation containers on counters at restaurants and retail locations, falsely claiming the funds will support local veterans. Investigators say many of these operations are not registered charities and may keep as much as 90% of donated money for personal profit.
Officials say the Sheriff’s Office has been investigating these scams for more than a year, with reports indicating the organizations often provide minimal or no support to veterans. In many cases, the containers include QR codes or websites that appear professional but are either nonfunctional or misleading.
“Your desire to help veterans is admirable, but please be sure you are donating to a verified organization,” said Ramon Baca, Director of Veteran Services, in a public advisory. “Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and rely on goodwill to line their pockets.”
Veterans Services encourages residents to take extra steps before donating, including researching organizations, verifying legitimacy through official state or county channels, and avoiding unsolicited calls, emails, or QR code donations. Officials also recommend contacting Livingston County Veterans Services directly to confirm whether a veteran-focused organization is legitimate.
Residents are reminded that verified assistance for veterans is available through county, state, and federal programs, as well as local agencies that specialize in emergency financial relief, housing assistance, and benefit coordination.
Anyone with questions or concerns about veteran-related donations can contact Livingston County Veterans Services at (517) 546-9669.
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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