"If you don't personally know of the organization seeking a donation, don't respond to their request for donations or information," says Sergeant Jeff Freelove of the Reno Police Department's Financial Crimes Unit.

The warning comes after numerous reports this week of an organization claiming to be a police protective association making telephone solicitations to benefit police.

Freelove issued a similar warning in January after receiving complaints about telephone solicitations by individuals seeking donations for an organization claiming to benefit the widows of fallen Reno Police officers.

Freelove says both organizations are unknown to the Reno Police Department.

Freelove points out that It's impossible to verify the legitimacy of a so-called charity over the telephone, and says area residents should try to research soliciting organizations before making any kind of donation commitment.

"Ask for the solicitor's full name, formal organization name, telephone number, street address, business address, then search the internet, call the Better Business Bureau, check the phone book and other sources to verify the information," he says.

Freelove says fraudulent solicitations often provide false information.

"Just because information is provided, it should not be taken at face value," he says.

"That information needs to be verified, especially before sending donations or providing any personal information that could be used in identity theft.

Freelove also suggests area residents ask organizations soliciting donations by phone to mail an information package, including a copy of the organization's IRS tax exempt letter, and thoroughly reviewing those materials before committing to a financial donation.

"People who respond to phone solicitations really want to help and have the best intentions," Freelove says, "but most of the time they run the risk of giving money to a non-existent or fraudulent organization, or their donation is sent to an organization that is not based locally and the funds are sent out of state."

Freelove says area residents should simply hang up on solicitors when:

1) A phone solicitor tries to rush you into making a decision.

2) The caller gets hostile when you ask specific questions and is not willing to provide information on the phone or mail informational materials.

3) The solicitor requests a credit card number, bank account number, Social Security number or any other personal information.

4) The solicitor requests a money order, cashier?s check, wire transfer or personal check to be picked up from your home or work by a 'courier.'

Other recommendations to avoid becoming a victim of a donation fraud scheme and related crimes include:

1) Develop a budget and structured plan for charitable giving that identifies the causes that mean the most to you.

2) If you feel offended, attacked or defensive while talking with a solicitor, hang up immediately. If they call back, let your answering machine take the call.

3) Be aware that con artists will use emotional appeals to play on sympathies by asking for money for the families of slain police officers, firefighters and victims of natural disasters.

4) Don't be fooled by a name that closely resembles the name of a respected and well-known charity. Make sure you know exactly with whom you are dealing.

5) Give directly to your designated charity, if possible, rather than to an organization claiming it will forward your donation to that charity.

6) Never give financial or personal information about yourself to anyone via the telephone, e-mail or by any other method of communication.

7) Before you commit to a charitable donation find out what percentage of the money is paid in commissions, and what percentage actually goes to the charity.

8) Don't pay for a "free prize." If the caller tells you the payment is just for taxes, they are violating federal law.

9) Report suspected fraudulent telephone solicitations, or other suspected fraud schemes to the police department immediately.