The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department is not taking donations for a new “crime task force,” and the people calling local residents seeking donations for that task force are committing fraud.

Jasper County Sheriff Archie Dunn said in a written release that investigators took a report on April 2 from a woman who said she received a call from a man claiming to be with the sheriff’s office and seeking donations for a new crime task force.

The release said the woman thought the call was suspicious, and told the caller she wanted to call authorities to confirm his claims.

“The man told her that would be fine and he would call back tomorrow once she had confirmed his legitimacy so he might be able to obtain a donation,” the sheriff’s office release said. “The sheriff’s office wants to inform the public this is not a credible or legitimate program, we are not doing any kind of phone solicitation.”

The sheriff’s office advises the public not to give out personal information, bank account or credit card information, or any other information to callers.

“There are several scams around that sound credible, however, are not,” Dunn’s office said. “If anyone receives communication in any way, i.e. telephone, mail, etc. and feel it is fraudulent, obtain all information and contact your local law enforcement authorities.

The Sheriff’s Office appreciates the public questioning incidents such as this one instead of being another victim.”

Fire investigation
Sheriff’s investigators, along with the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office, are looking into who might have started a fire at 10:16 a.m. Wednesday near the corner of County Road 192 and Highland Road.

A vehicle and an abandoned mobile home were damaged.

There are no suspects in custody at this time. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 1-800-39ARSON or the Jasper County Criminal Investigations Unit at 417-358-8177.