State police: Phone scammers seeking donations for fallen troopers' families

If you get a call asking to donate to the families of two fallen Pennsylvania state troopers, the president of their association wants you to know: It’s fake.

The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association warned residents statewide this week about groups pretending to raise money for the families of troopers Martin Mack and Branden Sisca, who were killed in a car crash early Monday on I-95 in Philadelphia.

“It’s disgusting to even have to issue this statement, but our members and others are reporting to us that they’re receiving phone calls from people alleging to represent law enforcement organizations that are raising money to benefit the families of our fallen brothers,” said association President David Kennedy.

Charity scams in the wake of tragedy is, unfortunately, a frequent occurrence. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, articles have appeared regularly advising people how to donate in a way that ensures the money reaches its intended destination.

Most suggest cross-checking the name of a charity with lists from watchdog groups such as CharityWatch, CharityNavigator and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.

In 2007, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association formed the Troopers Helping Troopers Foundation to help troopers and their families in their time of need. The nonprofit, tax-deductible 501(c)3, foundation provides funding for families when a trooper is killed in the line of duty, among other services.

That is the only charity donors should consider legitimate when it comes to donations for Martin and Sisca’s families, Kennedy said.

“The public should not make donations or provide personal information to these (other) callers,” Kennedy said. “The PSTA is the only official organization that represents and serves Pennsylvania state troopers, and we do not use telephone solicitation for fundraising.”