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Scam Alert: Shepherd’s House Warns of Fraudulent Donation Scam
<p>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.</p>
<h3><strong>Suspicious Donation Offer</strong></h3>
<p>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.</p>
<p>“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.</p>
<p>Concerned by the man’s request, Barr refused to fulfill it. The following day, the bank confirmed that the check was counterfeit.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8687" src="https://budgyapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/fraudulent-donation-scam.jpg" alt="fraudulent donation scam" width="705" height="435" /></p>
<h3><strong>The Importance of Diligence</strong></h3>
<p>Barr advised other organizations to be cautious and vigilant in such situations.</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>With scams becoming more sophisticated, Barr highlighted the importance of staying alert and safeguarding non-profits from potential financial harm.</p>
<h3><strong>Tips to Stay Safe</strong></h3>
<p>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.</p>
<p>For more guidance on identifying and reporting counterfeit checks, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides detailed resources.</p>