Citizens report telemarketing scam

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

Two separate reports came to the Caldwell County Sheriff”s Department on Wednesday morning of a fundraising scam gaining popularity in the Lockhart area.
According to Sgt. Paul Cowan, a department investigator, the alleged con artists make calls and identify themselves as the “State Trooper”s Association.” Cowan said one

of the reports came from a Caldwell County deputy and the other, from a local business.
“Apparently, they”re starting to ask for donations of $900, then work their way down from there,” he said. “They also say they will send UPS to pick up the check.”
Cowan said the business was going to make a donation until, “it just started smelling funny.”
Cowan suggested that before anyone makes a donation to an organization, they make certain the organization is legitimate.
“You might get their address and telephone number,” he said. “Or you could ask them to send you information about their organization so you can mail them the check.”
Most legitimate organizations are happy to mail their literature to potential donors.
The Texas Department of Public Safety website reminds Texans that the department receives no actual funding from any outside organization, and further does not solicit donations from the public. Some legitimate organizations do engage in fundraising activities to benefit officers and their families, but often, telemarketing scam artists will adopt names that include the words “state troopers,” “Texas Rangers,” or “Texas Highway Patrol” in an effort to earn the trust of potential victims.
If you have been contacted by an organization you believe to be misrepresenting itself, contact the Caldwell County Sheriff”s Department at (512) 398-6777 or the Texas Attorney General”s Consumer Protection Division at (800) 621-0805.