Schuylkill-Carbon Lodge 13, Fraternal Order of Police, is not currently soliciting donations from area businesses and residents.

Several businesses reportedly received calls from a representative of the F.O.P. on Thursday, but local officers want the public to know the calls are not being made by the local lodge.

The calls are not exactly a scam, as they may be coming from an out-of-state F.O.P. Lodge. While that may well be a worthy cause, make sure you know just which lodge your donation will benefit. Ask the caller where they are physically located and which lodge will receive your donation.

Lodge 13 is the one representing officers from most of the Times News coverage area.