Charity concerned after scammers use fundraiser against potential victims

THUNDER BAY -- A local foundation will be changing how it does business after its name was used in a recent scam.

On Monday a woman stopped by the St. Joseph's Foundation office to say she just received a call that she had won money and a car through its Big Split 26 draw.

The woman had concerns after the man on the phone said he needed credit card information to pay for the car's insurance.

While she was telling the story, the man called again. Executive director Katrina O'Neill got on the phone and told the man he was running a scam. He hung up.

"It's very disconcerting to us for a number of reasons," she said.

The foundation usually calls past supporters and donors to solicit, something they will no longer do. Instead, O'Neill said they will call but will ask people to call their office back to purchase tickets.

"It's unfortunate that in today's day and age we have to take those steps to keep our supporters and our donors safe," she said.

"The concern is who else is out there who received this call and didn't know," she said.

Police have been notified and O'Neill said she just wants to raise awareness in the public that the scam is out there.

"In any case, hang up," she said if what a caller is saying sounds too good to be true.