[BHS etree] SUPT: Unauthorized Fundraising Street Scam Alert

[bhs at idiom.com]

contact: Mark Coplan mark_coplan at berkeley.k12.ca.us
Unauthorized Fundraising Street Scam Alert

Berkeley High School Athletic Director Kristin Glenchur received a call
from a community member re: a, "Malik Johnson," posing as a basketball
coach soliciting money for uniforms for Berkeley High. There is no such
person on the BHS staff and BHS Athletics is not endorsing this activity.
The endorsed fundraising groups at BHS are the Berkeley Athletic Fund
(BAF),the PTSA and the Berkeley High School Development Group (BHSDG). Clubs
and
organizations will sometimes be involved in their own fundraising efforts,
but they will not likely approach you on the street, and usually conduct
their efforts at BHS events and activities. They will also ask for checks
made out to the BAF, BHSDG, or to Berkeley High School.

If anyone approaches you about donations for any Berkeley Unified School
District site, do not hesitate to contact the school directly to confirm
the validity of the request, or offer to mail the donation directly to the
school.

Scam operations like this one are unfortunate, especially at a time when
Berkeley school children are busy raising money for tsunami relief
efforts. Do not hesitate to ask for photo identification, and it is a good
idea to offer to write a check, even if you will ultimately give a cash
donation. Their reaction is important, as anyone encouraging you to donate
cash instead is not likely to be legitimate.

Please report any questionable fundraising attempts immediately.

Mark Coplan, BUSD Public Information Officer

==========================================

Mark A. Coplan
Public Information Officer, BUSD
510-644-6320
Mark_Coplan at berkeley.k12.ca.us
Berkeley Unified School District
2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, Ca 94704-1180
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