Midwest City Fire Department Warns Residents Of Scammer Posing As Firefighter

A warning from a metro fire department who said scammers are targeting our wallets. 

The Midwest City Fire Chief told News 9 the alleged scammers are walking around with a boot and asking for money on behalf of the department.  

Vulnerable residents are falling for the scam and opening their wallets. 

“I think it is incredibly important for us to understand we have a lot of community support, and we appreciate that. I think this individual may have known that and capitalized on it for their own gain,” Midwest City Fire Department chief Bert Norton said.

The man is going around with a boot pretending to be a firefighter. 

“Making his way through an apartment complex that had a boot in his hand and was saying he was collecting money for ‘Fill the Boot’ and do you want to make a donation,” Norton said.  

When he found a generous Oklahoman, he followed up with a second question. 

“The other odd thing about this story is that, unfortunately, the lady did give him money and he turned around and asked, ‘Can you give me a little bit more?'” Norton said.

The woman felt uneasy and called the Midwest City Fire Department but not before the scammer was off to knock on another door. 

“This guy was not in uniform. He had no identifying characteristics on him. Midwest City is pretty strong in their stance on having permits to solicit and walk door-to-door if you are doing sales for whatever it may be,” Norton said. 

Norton said they don’t go door-to-door asking for money. When they do raise money, it’s for the MDA Fill Your Boot campaign on street corners. 

If someone is going door-to-door asking for money, the department encourages residents to ask for their permit or call the police.