Beware of charity check fraud

When a Ponte Vedra Beach man wrote a check for what he thought was a charitable contribution, Historic City News has learned, only opened the door for a thief to commit check fraud against the unsuspecting donor.

A 61-year old St. Johns County man told deputies that sometime around the first week of November, he was in his yard on San Juan Drive, when a white male in his late teens approached him soliciting donations.

The victim stated that the subject was soliciting donations to “Food for Africa” on behalf of his fraternity, Delta Upsilon at the University of North Florida.

The subject told the victim that for a $3 donation he would receive a new t-shirt with a logo of the charity.

When the victim attempted to give the subject $3 in cash, the teenager told him he would need a check made out to the fraternity to keep track of the money raised.

On Wednesday of this week, the victim’s wife was notified by their bank that a 17-year old male attempted to cash a check from their account for $6,500.

A photo supplied by the bank matched the individual who was soliciting for the fraternity.

The check was not honored and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was notified by the bank which is in Duval County.

The suspect is described as a 17-year old white male, 5’10”-6’ tall with a medium build and brown hair. He was a passenger in a newer model blue Dodge full-size pick-up truck that had a silver diamond plate tool box and dual exhaust.

Property Crimes Section Detectives with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office are continuing the investigation and are asking other residents to be wary of individuals attempting this type of scam.

If any St. Johns County resident discovers that they were a victim of this type of fraud, please report it to the Sheriff’s Office at (904) 824-8304.