Photography donation scam reported

EPHRATA - The Grant Couny Sheriff's Office reports a citizen informed the GCSO last week that a young man driving a white Ford Mustang came to the home claiming he was seeking donations for Grant County Search and Rescue.

It was a scam, Sheriff Tom Jones said. Unfortunately, the scammer got away with the citizen's $30.

According to Jones, the scammer said that, for a $30 donation, the family could get their photo taken Jan. 19 in front of the Grant County Courthouse. The scammer said he was Jason Hatfield from jbtportraits.com - a business which doesn't exist.

"We want everyone to know that Grant County Search and Rescue is not soliciting donations through door-to-door marketing or telephone marketing," Jones said. "If you're suspicious of someone seeking money from you, call your local law enforcement agency."

- Staff report