AMBER Alert scam seeks money to support missing child searches

GlobalPost

Someone in Washington state is trying to solicit donations to support AMBER alert, the public service announcements that broadcast information about missing children. The problem? AMBER alert doesn't rely on donations, The Columbian reported

"People may be interested in helping families with missing children by donating to a charity. Be cautious when responding to an emotional appeal," Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Chicago, told ABC

More from GlobalPost: Old people get scammed because of brain changes, new study suggests

The calls, whose origins are not known, ask for donations to support AMBER Alert and overhead expenses for the program, The Olympian reported. The Washington State Patrol is warning the public not to hand over their credit cards. 

There is still not enough information about the calls for the State Patrol to launch an investigation yet, Bainbridge Island Review reported

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.