El Paso Fire Department warns residents of phone scams claiming to solicit donations

Times staff report
·1 min read

The El Paso Fire Department is warning of a phone scam from individuals soliciting donations by pretending to be part of the department or the El Paso Firefighters Association Local 51.

In a news release, officials said neither the El Paso Fire Department nor Local 51 solicit donations. They warn that businesses and residents should be suspicious if they receive a phone call asking for donations from either organization.

Campaigns such as Fill the Boot are supported by the department and association and are always communicated via the department’s official website, social media, news releases and media partners.

According to a recent study, this year nearly half of the calls people get on their cells phones will be scams.
According to a recent study, this year nearly half of the calls people get on their cells phones will be scams.

Officials say residents and businesses should not provide personal details over the phone if they are being solicited for donations. Instead, they should hang up immediately if they are suspicious that a solicitation is fraudulent.

If someone has been a victim of these phone scams, a report can be filled with the El Paso Police Department at 915-832-4436 or online at elpasotexas.gov/police-department/online-services/report-online/.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is providing a phone line to report phone scams at 915-832-5000 or online at tips.fbi.gov.

More: Virtual kidnappings, drug cartel text threats and other phone scams evolving in El Paso

More: El Paso CBP office inundated with calls because of phony border telephone scam

More: FBI El Paso warns of scammers taking advantage of shoppers during holidays

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Fire Department warns of phone scams seeking donations