The Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority has received an increasing number of calls recently from concerned residents who have been contacted by phone solicitors asking for donations that they say support local fire departments, including Puget Sound Fire.

These calls often come from a 253 area code, making them appear to be local. The calls are misleading solicitation calls, according to a Puget Sound Fire news release. Puget Sound Fire serves the cities of Kent, Covington, SeaTac and Maple Valley.

The callers typically say that they are representing local fire departments and that by donating you are supporting your firefighters. At least one call claimed to be to support the Northwest Burn Foundation. A firefighter closely associated with NWBF says the claim is false and that they receive no funding from these phone solicitors.

Puget Sound Fire does not receive any funds from these solicitors and would never request money over the phone or door to door.

Please remember that while many solicitors are legitimate and not scams, there are unscrupulous people out there trying to take advantage of others. Puget Sound Fire understands that it is up to our residents to decide how and to whom they want to donate, but we encourage everyone to research charities before committing money to them.