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Posted: Friday, 03 July 2009 8:59PM
Citizens warned about telemarketing fraud
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WOODSTOCK (STNG) -- Sheriff’s police in McHenry County are reminding residents that telemarketing calls made recently asking for donations to a police organization are not associated with any of the Illinois sheriff’s departments.
According to a release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s office, citizens have been receiving calls from a telemarketing company claiming to represent police officers throughout the state. The calls, however, are actually on behalf of a union organization that call themselves the Illinois Council of Police.
The organization allegedly represents a group of bargaining units in northern Illinois, mostly in Cook County, the release said.
The Illinois Sheriff’s Association reminds residents that no sheriff’s office in the state uses telemarketers, and any money given to these people has nothing to do with any local sheriff’s department.
“It is important to remember that the Ilinois Sheriff’s Association never solicits by telephone,” ISA Director Greg Sullivan said in a statement. “On the contrary, the Association has gone on record encouraging all police organizations to abstain from telemarketing.”
The ISA urges citizens to avoid giving out personal bank information to anyone over the phone unless dealing with a reputable organization. Also, citizens should insist on getting written information about the organization before giving money and resist high-pressure tactics.
Anyone with complaints about telemarketing fraud can call the National Consumer League at (800) 243-0607 and, for someone falsely claiming to be from an Illinois sheriff’s office, call the ISA at (217) 753-2372.
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Copyright 2009 STNG Wire, The Chicago Sun-Times. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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