Officials Warn of Red Cross Impostor Trying to Collect Donations in 2 Cities
Merchants should watch out for a man impersonating an American Red Cross volunteer who has tried to collect donations in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach, authorities said Friday.
A man entered businesses in Costa Mesa on Wednesday with boxes of mints for sale, which he claimed would benefit the Red Cross, said Red Cross spokeswoman Judy Iannaccone.
The impersonator, who did not show identification, asked business owners to display the candy boxes, which bore no Red Cross logo, she said.
He did the same thing Thursday and Friday at stores in Newport Beach, Iannaccone said.
Anyone contacted by a person claiming to be a representative of the Red Cross should contact the charity organization at (714) 835-5381, or the local Police Department, Iannaccone said.
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