Duluth Police Warn Of Scam Targeting Northlanders With Fake Fundraising Scheme

The Duluth Police Department put out a warning to locals about a scam they've been alerted to that claims to involve the department itself.

In a public alert issued by the Duluth Police Department's Public Information Officer Mattie Hjelseth, the DPD explained that the department was made aware of an organization falsely claiming to be representing the department in a fundraising effort.

The organization has reportedly been contacting local businesses in the Duluth area to attempt to solicit money on behalf of one of the Duluth Police Department's foundations.

While the organization is not named by the department, the DPD explains that they are not affiliated with this organization and that the department does not authorize any outside third party to collect money on behalf of organizations like the Duluth Police Foundation or Northland K9 Foundation.

READ MORE: St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Warns Of New Scam Calls With Scammer Claiming To Be From Sheriff's Office

The DPD says that if anyone other than representatives from those two organizations reaches out attempting to solicit donations or sponsorships on behalf of the Duluth Police Department, you should not give them any payment. In addition, they encourage you to report any instances of this happening to the department immediately.

It isn't uncommon to be contacted by someone conducting fundraising for local organizations and charities. Especially if they are using the names of local organizations you recognize, it might be easy to just assume it is legitimate and to donate if you feel so moved to support the cause.

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This is a good reminder that you need to be increasingly careful if someone reaches out to you. Just like with other scams, you have to do your best to verify the legitimacy of the request before following through on donating or providing information.