Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Nevadans warned of Make-A-Wish Foundation scam

State officials are warning Nevadans of a ploy by scammers who use the Make-A-Wish Foundation to steal money, according to the Nevada Attorney General’s Office.

The scam goes like this: A caller tells would-be victims that they represent the federal government, naming agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and a “fictitious Consumer Protection Agency,” officials said. They’ve used the Washington, D.C., area code (202), where most federal agencies are located.

The suspect then tells them that they’ve won a large reward sponsored by Make-A-Wish, the charity that grants wishes to ill children, officials said. And that’s when they ask for the victim’s banking information, leaving them vulnerable to be scammed for thousands of dollars.

“Con artists will stop at nothing to take advantage of others, including posing as members of a well-known charitable foundation,” said Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt in a news release. “I encourage all Nevadans to be on the lookout for fraud and to be skeptical of any caller who asks you to pay for a prize.”

“The Make-A-Wish Foundation does not engage in any sweepstakes fundraising. Additionally, the FTC and other consumer protection agencies are not involved in handing out prizes on behalf of charities,” the release said.

Officials have offered the following tips:

• Hang up as soon as a caller asks you to provide money or a wire transfer order to receive a prize.

• Don’t provide bank account information or wire money over the phone.

• Report any suspected scams to the FTC either at 1-877-FTC-HELP or file a complaint online here.

• Report suspected Make-A-Wish related scams at 1-800-722-9474 or [email protected].

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