Manhattan FPD does not ask for donations by phone
The Southtown Star recently published a story warning residents about a fraudulent fundraising campaign impersonating the Manhattan Fire Protection District (FPD). The article highlights how a scammer attempted to trick a local firefighter into donating money under false pretenses.
According to the report, a woman who introduced herself as "Cindy" called Captain Gerald Kinsella of the Manhattan FPD and claimed to be raising funds for firefighters. Kinsella, aware that the department does not conduct phone solicitations, decided to engage with her in hopes of uncovering more details about the scheme.
During the call, Cindy asked for donations in different color-coded amounts: $100 for "red," $50 for "white," and $35 for "blue." She encouraged Kinsella to choose an amount based on his comfort level. When he requested written information, she became evasive, claiming she needed a specific donation amount to issue a tax-deductible receipt. This raised red flags immediately.
Kinsella later shared the details of the call with Chief Dan Forsythe, emphasizing that the fire district does not solicit donations via phone. Instead, they send out a formal annual fundraiser letter, which will be mailed next month. The letter includes tickets for a summer event scheduled for July 19, and donations are collected by mail at the fire station. No one from the department calls residents directly to ask for money.
Dawn Cupples, the fire district’s public education coordinator, confirmed that the organization never uses phone calls to collect donations. She urged residents to be cautious and not fall for such scams. “We want people to know what we actually do, and not get taken in by those pretending to represent us,†she said.
The caller also claimed to be working with a Joliet-based fundraising group. However, the vice president of that organization told the Southtown Star that their services are mainly used by churches and schools, and they do not engage in phone solicitation or raise funds for firefighters in Manhattan.
Cupples strongly advised against giving money to anyone calling on behalf of the Manhattan Firefighters Association. She reminded residents that any legitimate fundraising efforts will come through official channels, not unsolicited phone calls.
If you receive a call asking for donations, hang up and verify the request through official sources. Stay alert, stay informed, and protect yourself from scams.
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