Scammer using charity's name to steal money

ATLANTA — A woman is trying to alert the public about a scammer using the name of a local charity to con people out of their money.

According to one person, a woman calling herself "Jennifer" cold calls her target and claims she's with the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta, an organization that provides furniture to struggling families. The scammer says the charity is giving away $1,400 to 14 needy families.  And after going through a spiel, she asks for Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and the pin number to a debit card.  She also says she'll come pick up the bank card to make a copy of it for the furniture banks records.

But an official with the organization, which donates to about 40 families a week, says Furniture Bank does not give away cash.

“That’s not what we do,” Megan Anderson told Channel 2’s Tony Thomas.

When asked if the charity offers any of the programs like the scammer is supposedly describing, Anderson said "no" and that all the furniture they give, people need to get referred to the charity.

The potential victim Thomas spoke with didn't fall for the over the top requests, but fears, along with Anderson, someone might.

“Our people who need our services have gone through a lot to finally get into stable housing and they certainly don't need something like this that could set them back to being homeless,” Anderson said.

The  number the woman was calling from is no longer in service.

Anyone who receives calls related to the scam is asked to call the Furniture Bank of America at 404-355-8530 or 911.

WSBTV