The Delaware Volunteer Firefighter's Association has issued a warning to all Delawareans statewide to beware of a phone scam impersonating the Volunteer Fire Service in attempt to solicit donations.

The phony calls have already scammed several Delawareans into donating under the belief that they were benefiting the state's Volunteer Fire Service, which will never solicit donations from residents over the phone. Reports claim the calls are displaying a (302) area code; however, the calls are likely not from Delaware. 

Jay Jones, Vice President of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter's Association, further added that the calls are false and said the best way for you to support your local fire company is to donate directly.

"What we're hearing are several reports up and down the state where phone calls are soliciting donations on behalf of the Volunteer Fire Service/Association to help out the fire departments because they know we're under budgetary constraints and we depend on donations from the community," Jones explained. "We do not solicit any type of monies over the phone, and neither does any fire department in the state of Delaware. The best way to support your local fire department is by mailing them a check directly or dropping them a check or donation of at the fire station."

The Delaware Attorney General's Office is aware of the scam and is currently investigating. Anyone who encounters such a phone call is urged to write down the number and immediately report it to the state's Fraud & Consumer Protection Division at https://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/fraud.