Police: Beware of Fake Donation Collections

Area residents were given a reminder of why it’s important to be alert in how you spend your charitable donations on Tuesday after police arrested a local man they said had gone door to door to solicit “donations” and pocketed the cash.

“It wasn’t targeted with a seasonal charity, but this is a case of someone who was looking to make money off the kindness of others,” said Sgt. Lowell DePalma. “It’s just another example of why residents have to be careful this time of year.”

Officers arrested Scott Tenney, of 63 College Ave. in Southington, on Tuesday morning after serving a warrant. He was booked on charges of criminal impersonation and two counts of sixth-degree larceny and released after posting a $500 cash bond.

Tenney, 22, is due in Bristol Superior Court for arraignment later this month.

Police said that on Nov. 22, two days before Thanksgiving, Tenney walked through the neighborhood in the area of East Mountain Drive and went door-to-door seeking “donations” from residents to allegedly help youth football. On several occasions, police said Tenney told the residents he was collecting money on behalf of the “Southington Knights travel football team.” He would offer a popsicle in exchange for the donation before heading to the next home.

Residents became weary of his activity and thought it was suspicious, DePalma said. They reported it to police after an area resident who knew the coach called to question the collection going on. When the coach denied knowing of any upcoming fundraisers, residents were able to identify the effort as a scam.

Officers conducted an investigation and were able to obtain a warrant for Tenney, who has a history of larceny convictions according to court records.

“It’s important to remember that local fundraisers almost always have some sort of advance notice. People will identify themselves in some way and help prove the collection is legitimate,” DePalma said. “These residents picked up on the fact that this was suspicious and they reported it. They did the right thing.”

DePalma said this time of year, people need to be especially aware of scams that attempt to prey on the charitable nature of individuals during the holiday season. There have not been reports of door-to-door incidents in Southington other than this one, but criminals will target people at stores, on the Internet and more.

“The best thing residents can do is keep only small amounts of money and leave any credit cards they won’t be using at home,” DePalma said. “We want everyone to be careful and to have a happy holiday season.”