Today the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a call on its Fraud Line from a citizen asking if the Lee County Sheriff’s Office solicits for donations over the telephone.

The male caller said he worked for the Lee County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the K-9 unit and that he “was the only county employee who is paid to solicit money.”

He went on to ask for a donation for the Sheriff’s Office “Puppy Unit.” The citizen told the caller she would get more information from the Sheriff’s Office and he hung up.

The simple answer to this is unequivocally “NO;” the Lee County Sheriff’s Office does not telephone solicit for any donations, authorities at the Sheriff’s Office said.

Here are some simple steps to keep from falling victim:

– Never talk to strangers on the telephone.

-Use an answering machine, voice mail or Caller ID to screen your calls.

-Never under any circumstances give even a portion of your credit card, bank account, or Social Security numbers to a caller.

You can tell anyone who wants you to do business with them over the phone: “I do not do business over the phone.” or “I do not donate to charities over the phone.”

“Please put me on your Do Not Call List.”

For assistance call the Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line: 239-477-1242 – CASE, Communities Against Senior Exploitation