MLPD not asking for donations by phone

MOSES LAKE — In light of residents receiving calls from scammers who claim they are with the Moses Lake Police Department and seeking donations, the MLPD is reminding residents the department does not solicit donations over the phone.

The MLPD reports the calls generally come from out of the area numbers. The MLPD does not ask for donations over the phone and in general, recommends against making any sort of donation over the phone. The department stated some charities will make cold calls over the phone, but the potential for fraud is still “huge.”

“The best practice for donating money is through local charities in your community. If you want to donate for a national cause, there are usually ways to donate locally (and ideally face to face) through local churches, or a local office of the American Red Cross, Salvation Army or other well-recognized national organizations. Always do your research first, and donate wisely,” stated the MLPD in a release.

— Staff report