Scam Alert: Fraudulent Phone Call Claiming to be "the Fire Department"

Escambia County Fire Rescue received a check in the amount of $35.00 from a citizen over the weekend. The citizen indicated they received a phone call from a solicitor requesting a donation of either $35.00 or $100.00. The citizen indicated the solicitor claimed they were with "the fire department." The Battalion Chief on-duty delivered the check back to the citizen at their residence and explained that ECFR does not solicit any funds.

If you receive a call from an individual claiming to be from the local fire department and are soliciting donations, that caller is a scammer. They are not legitimate, and they are not affiliated with Escambia County Fire Rescue. 

Escambia County Fire Rescue would like to remind the public that ECFR will not solicit any donations from residents.

"Occasionally, other organizations, benevolent associations and non-profits will solicit funds by phone or door-to-door," said Escambia County Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Paul Williams. "These groups are not affiliated with ECFR and should be thoroughly researched by residents to determine if they want to make a donation."