The Salvation Army is warning people in North Texas about fake solicitors reportedly coming door-to-door seeking donations.
The organization received a report Monday that several men claiming to be raising money for the Salvation Army have been knocking on doors in the Lovers Lane area of Dallas, according to a news release the agency sent out Wednesday.
"They see an opportunity to use the Salvation Army's name to collect a bit of money," Major Stan Carr told NBC 5 about the people involved in the scheme.
A woman called the Salvation Army to report that one of the men told her they were raising funds for a Salvation Army educational program, Carr said.
"It is very disappointing that people want to take advantage. It concerns me that people are that desperate, or are that willing to deceive the public for their own personal gain," Carr said. "This is something that comes up far too often, from our perspective."
The Salvation Army never solicits money by going door-to-door, according to Carr. Instead, the organization relies solely on money deposited in the hundreds of red kettles around the Metroplex.
Salvation Army red kettles will be visible at more than 400 retail outlets in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton and Ellis counties from Nov. 21 through Dec. 24, according to the organization.
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Funds raised in the Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign help to provide for individual and family assistance not only at Christmas but throughout the year with more than 70 programs and services, the news release said.
Angel Trees, already in 10 local malls, will help to collect donated Christmas gifts for more than 50,000 children in North Texas.
NBC 5 is a proud sponsor of the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.
