Firefighters sound the alarm over scam

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. ( WPRI) -- Firefighters from a local department are issuing a warning to Rhode Island residents for scam artists that could come calling.

The scammers claim to be collecting donations for a volunteer fire department, with which they have no actual affiliation.

For more than 100 years, the town of South Kingstown has been served by volunteer firefighters, and they depend on donations to help with costs.

"I love being a volunteer, I love the sound of the whistle, going to the fire, helping people," said volunteer firefighter Hilding Munson.

But now, these scammers are cutting into the department's profits with false claims of a fundraiser, which the volunteers say is deplorable.

"We want to let people know so they don't get taken advantage of, and those people who are gracious enough to be able to give to such a worthy cause aren't putting their money in somebody else's bank account," said Nathan Street of the South Kingstown Fire Department.

The calls reportedly came from an 800 number, and when residents asked for more information about the so-called charity, the callers would hang up. If you receive a similar call, make sure to find out you're talking to a real charity before giving any money.

To verify any charity, head to the Better Business Bureau's website.