Naughty List: Sheriff Santa Phone Calls a Scam

Even Santa can end up on the naughty list. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Department is alerting county residents about phone scam from alleged “Secret Santa” or “Sheriff Santa” programs.

The scammers call from cell phones, with long distance or blocked numbers, say they are associated with the charity programs and attempt to get donations. One resident reported to police that the caller offered to come to the victim’s home to collect their donation.

Spotsylvania Sheriff Roger L. Harris said in a press release, “If any person wanted to donate to an event sponsored by the Sheriff’s Office, like the Blue Christmas program, then they would see the donation site, with uniformed Deputies on site to accept their donations.”

He further said that no police officer would call residents to solicit donations and anyone who gets one of these calls should contact law enforcement immediately.

The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office does hold two Christmas fundraisers each year: Blue Christmas and Cover the Cruiser. Donations for those programs will only be sought via telephone if a business has indicated to police that they’d like a phone call. Otherwise, donations can be dropped off at the collection sites below:

• Clothes or toys can be donated to Blue Christmas at Walmart, Kohl’s or the Towne Center Mall.
• Monetary donations for seniors and less fortunate children can be donated during the Cover the Cruiser event at the mall.

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