Greensburg Police warn of bogus door-to-door charity solicitation scheme
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Greensburg Police are warning residents of a bogus door-to-door charity solicitation scheme.
On Sunday, officers cited Wade Taro, 27, of Troy, Ohio, for violating the city’s peddling and solicitation ordinance that requires any vendor soliciting door-to-door possess a city solicitation permit. He was also charged before District Judge Chris Flanigan with receiving stolen property and theft by deception.
Police said Taro claimed he was soliciting funds for a company named Care Package Project. According to police reports, the company purports to send care packages to military members serving overseas.
“A resident called and said the charity seemed suspicious, so our officers went out and found he did not have a city permit,” police Capt. Robert Stafford said.
Upon further investigation, Stafford said officers discovered a legitimate charity under that name that ceased operation in 2015.
Police said the organization Taro was collecting for is not a charity, but “a for-profit company” with a single-page website that was just recently registered as a LLC in Wyoming.
According to police reports, Taro told officers there are six other members of this organization in the area soliciting funds door-to-door. Police said the representatives may have laminated cards and/or pamphlets to reinforce an appearance of legitimacy.
Stafford said residents are advised to contact police if someone comes to their door requesting money, even if the cause appears to be a noble one.
If any city residents were solicited and donated money, they are asked to contact police at 724-834-3800 and ask to speak with officer Frank Tempo.
Under the city’s ordinance, anyone convicted of violating the solicitation ordinance could be fined up to $600 per violation.