Scam Alert: Shepherd’s House Warns of Fraudulent Donation Scam

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) — The Shepherd’s House, a Fort Wayne-based non-profit organization, is warning other organizations about a fraudulent donation scam they were recently targeted by.

Suspicious Donation Offer

Tracey Barr, the Director of Veteran Outreach at Shepherd’s House, described how a man reached out to the organization, offering a generous $3,800 donation. However, as the conversation continued, Barr grew suspicious of the man’s increasingly odd behavior.

“He was asking lots of questions and was aggressive about ‘I need to see a copy of your banking to prove that you made the deposit,’” Barr explained.

Concerned by the man’s request, Barr refused to fulfill it. The following day, the bank confirmed that the check was counterfeit.

The Importance of Diligence

Barr advised other organizations to be cautious and vigilant in such situations.

“It’s easier to just say, ‘Give a person what they ask for, they want to make a nice donation,’ but not everybody is legitimate,” she said. “You need to protect your organization, protect your accounting, and all that. There’s a lot to lose.”

With scams becoming more sophisticated, Barr highlighted the importance of staying alert and safeguarding non-profits from potential financial harm.

Tips to Stay Safe

Barr recommended keeping a close relationship with your bank and familiarizing yourself with their fraud alert policies as a means of staying ahead of scammers.

For more guidance on identifying and reporting counterfeit checks, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides detailed resources.