Puget Sound Fire warns about misleading solicitation calls

The Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority has received an increasing number of calls recently from concerned residents who have been contacted by phone solicitors asking for donations that they say support local fire departments, including Puget Sound Fire.

These calls often come from a 253 area code, making them appear to be local. The calls are misleading solicitation calls, according to a Puget Sound Fire news release. Puget Sound Fire serves the cities of Kent, Covington, SeaTac and Maple Valley.

The callers typically say that they are representing local fire departments and that by donating you are supporting your firefighters. At least one call claimed to be to support the Northwest Burn Foundation. A firefighter closely associated with NWBF says the claim is false and that they receive no funding from these phone solicitors.

Puget Sound Fire does not receive any funds from these solicitors and would never request money over the phone or door to door.

Please remember that while many solicitors are legitimate and not scams, there are unscrupulous people out there trying to take advantage of others. Puget Sound Fire understands that it is up to our residents to decide how and to whom they want to donate, but we encourage everyone to research charities before committing money to them.

Ask solicitors:

• What is your federal tax ID number?

• Are you a 501c3 nonprofit? If so, what is your nonprofit number?

• Are you licensed to solicit in Washington state?

• Do you have written material, such as a brochure, or a website to review?

• Do you have a call back number?

Failing to answer these questions fully should raise red flags with residents. If you are concerned that the caller is not legitimate, you can:

• Contact the Washington State Attorney General’s office and file a complaint at atg.wa.gov

• Contact the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint or learn more about a charity at bbb.org