Bend Fire & Rescue warns local businesses of scammers posing as fire officials

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --  Bend Fire & Rescue is warning the community about a scam where people are posing as Bend Fire Department officials, in order to collect donations from businesses.

Here is the press release:

Bend Fire & Rescue is alerting the community to a scam involving individuals who claim to be members of the Bend Fire Department and attempt to collect donations from businesses in exchange for promotion at an upcoming event.

Local businesses should be weary of callers requesting monetary donations on behalf of Bend Fire & Rescue. The scammer may reference an open house, and use phrases such as, “fire safety awareness program,” and “community fire stoppers.”

Scammers use many tactics to sound credible. Sometimes they will provide information like names of actual Department staff. They may also spoof their phone number to appear on caller ID as if they are calling from Bend Fire & Rescue. Additionally, they may even provide a professional looking invoice and payment portal to steal your information.

Things to remember about scams:

• Bend Fire & Rescue will never call to ask you for credit/debit/gift card numbers, wire transfers or bank routing numbers, or to make bitcoin deposits for any purpose.
• Never divulge personal or financial information to unknown callers.
• Authenticate any call you suspect to be a scam by checking its validity with Bend Fire & Rescue directly at 541-322-6300.
• Beware of the urgency to act quickly or threats – scammers want you to make your decision fast.

If you believe you were a victim of this scam, please report the incident to non-emergency dispatch by calling 541-693-6911. If you have not been victimized but have information related to this scam, please call the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 877-877-9392, or report online at doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection.