By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
MEMBERS of Clyde-Cardinia CFA have warned residents to be on their guard after a scam phone call asked for hundreds of dollars to be donated to the brigade on Melbourne’s hottest day of the year.
Cold calls were made to Casey residents on Wednesday 13 January asking for donations of $100 to $200 be made to the brigade.
Clyde North resident of three years Chris Moore said when he received the call on Wednesday he knew something was up.
“They told me they were publishing a newsletter for the Clyde CFA which was going to all members and crew,” Mr Moore said.
“The voice sounded like a middle aged male and said how hard fire fighters work during the heat and to show your appreciation by donating a couple hundred dollars.”
Mr Moore immediately warned the Dandenong CFA head office before he phoned back the caller’s number 30 minutes later without getting an answer.
“I have no idea how they got my mobile number and I’ve never received a call of this nature before,” Mr Moore said.
Mr Moore has since heard of one other Clyde resident who received the call at an earlier date and another similar scam claiming to represent the police.
Clyde CFA captain Ken Blencowe told Star News that the brigade wanted to act fast once it heard the “disappointing” news.
“We immediately posted on our own Facebook page to warn people it was a scam,” Mr Blencowe said.
“We never phone anyone asking for donations – instead we knock on doors in CFA uniform and have ID on us.”
Mr Blencowe said the brigade would alternatively letter box drop with its PO Box for cheque donations to be sent.
The scam was also reported to have been posted onto the Selandra Rise Facebook page and Mr Blencowe said the brigade don’t advertise on Facebook for donations.
“I’ve been a member of the Clyde CFA for 45 years and this is the first time anything like this has happened,” he said.
“It’s very disappointing why someone would want to use our brigade name to scam money and we were worried people would get the wrong idea about the Clyde CFA.
“It’s a good wake up call for brigades in the area and we are going to have to be very wary.”
Mr Blencowe believes the scammers chose the hot total fire ban day on purpose to make the calls and advertise the scam.
“I think they targeted this time of year and thought they’d jump on board and get some money,” he said.
“And if anyone wishes to make a donation to the Clyde brigade please contact us directly.”
Police are currently investigating the scam which was made using a mobile phone.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Darron Hedge from the Narre Warren Police Station said such incidents are often traced to international crime syndicates.
“These scams have been around forever but they are more elaborate now,” Sen Sgt Hedge said.
“When we go through fraud incident reports we find the scams are often topical to that time of year, for example the tax office scam was made around tax time.”
Anyone who receives a suspicious phone call from someone claiming to represent the Clyde-Cardinia CFA is urged to contact police.
