Beware of fake charity solicitations at all times
SPRINGFIELD Baystate Health is warning citizens throughout the area to beware of over-the-phone solicitations from callers claiming to represent the Baystate Children's Cancer Fund. The Springfield-based health system issued the warning after learning of numerous telephone solicitations seeking donations to support various efforts on behalf of children with cancer.
"The public should know this organization is not sanctioned by Baystate Health or its Baystate Children's Hospital and we have no indication that this is an actual fund," said Dr. Edward O. Reiter, chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Baystate Children's Hospital. Reiter indicated that the Baystate Health Foundation is responsible for all fundraising for the health system.
The public is reminded to be suspicious of any caller who asks for money, and no matter how legitimate or worthy a cause might sound, not to make a cash donation based solely on a phone conversation with an unfamiliar caller.
For more information, or to report a call from the Baystate Children's Cancer Fund, call Jennifer Flagg at the Springfield Police Department at 787-6313.
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