Scam Alert: LCSO and others report phone scam

The Lenoir County Sheriffs Office and the Lenoir County Volunteer Firefighters Association have posted scam alerts on their Facebook Pages to alert residents of a phone scam. The message from the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office was posted on their Facebook Page.

The Lenoir County Sheriff's Office has received multiple reports of a scam call from 252-468-0204. This person identifies themselves as being with the Kinston Professional Firefighters Association or the Lenoir County Volunteer Firemens Association.

THIS CALL IS A SCAM. They are asking for credit card numbers to make a donation over the phone. This would never happen with local groups. If any local group does do any type of soliciting work, they will make public notifications of it.

Sheriff Ronnie Ingram said, "we have great, dedicated firefighters and paramedics who work and volunteer in Lenoir County. Many of the fire departments are completely volunteer and I'm sure they will gladly accept donations to help fund equipment and their non-profit services. As your Sheriff, I recommend you contact your local Fire Chief or President of the Board for the department, and personally make a donation to them in person if you want to help. Do not fall for this."

The Kinston Professional Firefighters Assocation and the Lenoir County Volunteer Fire Association are real organizations that work with and for our local fire departments. They are reputable and good organizations. We have confirmed that neither of them are soliciting funds from the community and this is not them calling or anyone on their behalf.

If you receive a call from this number or any other number asking you for your credit card number, social security number, bank account number or any other identifying information, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE IT TO THEM. THIS IS A SCAM.

From a post on the Lenoir County Volunteer Firefighters Association Facebook Page:

We received word today that someone received a call from a local 252 area code phone number stating that they were taking donations for Lenoir County Fire Departments over the phone by credit card and would also be entered to win country music tickets. The Lenoir County Volunteer Firefighters Association is in no way calling around asking for donations as this is a scam. If you receive a call like this please do not give your information to them. We will be working with the Sheriff’s Department to try to figure out who is behind this. Thank you!