The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control today warned Bay Area residents of a possible phone scam asking for donations to the agency.
According to ABC spokesman John Carr, two residents, at least one in San Francisco, called the agency’s San Francisco office this week to complain about receiving calls.
The caller was asking for donations to crack down on sales of alcohol to minors, Carr said.
While the agency does help enforce underage drinking laws, they never request donations.
“That’s just false,” Carr said. “We’re funded through liquor license fees, we don’t solicit money from the public.”
Carr said both recipients of the calls did not agree to donate any money.
“They both did the right thing and called us and let us know,” he said.
But the agency is concerned there may be others who have received similar calls.
Anyone who does get a call requesting money is asked to get the caller’s name, phone number, name of the organization they represent, whether they work for a governmental agency or charity, what city they are calling from, and then contact ABC.
Ari Burack, Bay City News
