New Phone Scam: Firefighter Donation Targets County Residents

The Hays County Fire Chief’s Association and the San Marcos Fire Department has received numerous reports from residents in Hays County and San Marcos who have received calls from scammers seeking donations for area fire departments.

The calls appear to originate from Texas phone numbers.  One reported number is 936-235-3514 and shows to be from the Conroe, TX area.

This is a scam. Do not under any circumstance provide the caller with your credit card information.

“The San Marcos Fire Department would never contact residents by phone to solicit donations,” said San Marcos Fire Chief Les Stephens. The Hays County Fire Chief’s Association has also conformed that they are NOT requesting funds via a phone call at this time. 

Residents who receive calls that appear to be scams should notify the San Marcos Police Department at 512.753.2108. 

Here are a few more tips to avoid phone scams:

• Don’t always trust caller ID. Some scammers use spoofing software, which enables a false name and phone number to show up on caller ID.

• Be cautious about giving out personal information. Don’t give out your credit or debit card information over the phone.

• Verify the caller’s identity. If you are called by a charity or organization, and you are interested in donating, contact the organization directly to ensure the caller is representing them.