Scammers use charity magazine as ruse

An alleged scammer used charity magazine sales to swindle a Birmingham resident living at the 1000 block of Cole Avenue out of over $720 earlier this month. 

The residents reported the incident to Birmingham police on Monday, October 13, claiming that on Saturday, October 4, a man came up to his door selling magazines for charity and said purchases were tax-deductible. The resident ended up sending $720 through Zelle to a woman in Pontiac but tried to dispute the charge with his bank when he realized it was a scam. 

Birmingham police reported they got in contact with the Pontiac woman advising her a permit is required to solicit in the city. She reportedly said she would issue a refund to the man.