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Suspect taken into custody at her Decatur home
The suspect involved in the Toys for Tots Scam involving merchants within the City Limits of Winder has been positively identified as 47-year-old Marsha Lynn Foster. She was driving a Black Chevy Cobalt when she visited Swifty Car Wash.
Foster was arrested Saturday just after 6 p.m. when deputies of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office went to her residence.
Foster was the subject who had been soliciting donations from local merchants in a fraudulent manner. She claims to be a representative from Stars and Strikes. She stated she was collecting for Toys for Tots, a reputable charity organization. Marsha Foster is not affiliated with Toys for Tots or Stars and Strikes.
Any merchant within the city limits of Winder that has been approached by her, please contact Detective Sergeant Rachel Love at the Winder Police Department by calling (678) 425-6887. Merchants not within the City of Winder should contact their local law enforcement agency.
Warrants for the suspect were issued for Identity Theft and Theft by Deception.
“This has been an unfortunate incident,” said Detective Love. “As the holidays are quickly approaching there are many charitable organizations that are genuinely seeking donations.”
Below, you will find some helpful tips when approached by donation seekers:
Obtain the representatives credentials such as photo identification
Obtain charity organization information such as a business card and other literature.
Do not give donation immediately. Take the time to contact the agency to verify they had a representative in your area
Most charity organizations will provide a donation request on letterhead and they will not ask for CASH ONLY
news@barrowcountynews.com
The motivation sounds pure: Helping to make the holidays merrier for children, however, area businesses are reporting that a scam artist has crossed the line – the county line from Gwinnett.
The scammer is making her way into Barrow, going to at least four Winder businesses this week asking for donations on behalf of Toys for Tots.
The Winder Police Department is investigating four cases in Winder. Barberito’s, Shane’s Rib Shack, Swifty Car Wash and Little Havana have been visited by the scam-ster, who got money from at least one business.
A message of warning went out from Tara Friedman, Event Manager of the Dacula Stars and Strikes, to fellow members of the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce:
"We have an imposter still on the loose. Thus she has hit three businesses claiming to be me. Basically, there is woman who is soliciting for money for Toys for Tots. She is a scam artist. She came in to Stars & Strikes Dacula location on Friday around noon.
"She told me she owned several Verizon stores including the one in our shopping center and that they were teaming up with Toys for Tots for the holidays," said Friedman, who noted the scammer also talked about a Saturday radio remote with V-105 and Frank & Wanda plus team members of the Falcons.
"She wanted to sign us up as a sponsor and drop off point for toys," said Friedman. "It all seemed very fishy to me, [but] I was very busy so I brushed her off and gave her my card to send me more information. She didn’t have any donation request letters or anything. She did hand me someone else’s business card and wrote what she said was her name on it."
Friedman said she didn’t give it another thought until Monday when she received a call from a Winder restaurant.
"They said she told them a very similar story," said Friedman, but that Star 94 would be doing the remote.
"She was a very smooth talker," said Friedman, who learned the woman had given the Winder restaurant her card – "and wrote on it free birthday party for six people. They thought she was me and gave her money for Toys for Tots!"
Additional businesses have also been hit.
Winder Police Detective Lt. Rachel Love urges businesses to avoid giving cash to such a solicitor. Ask for credentials and seek written requests on letterhead. If you are given a business card, take time to call the organization and ask questions.
"I don’t want this type of activity to discourage businesses from helping legitimate holiday efforts, like Holiday Connnection or Shop with a Cop," said Love.
"But don’t give support on the spot," said Love. "Ask for information about the help effort and get back with them."
