6/7/24 - Panhandlers Use Fake Child Funeral Scheme To Get Your Money

Beware: Police say a group that's traveling around, uses posters to collect money to pay for a fake funeral for a child.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.) - Grand Rapids Police and other area law enforcement officers, are notifying the public about a scheme to get your money.

There are a group of panhandlers that have been traveling around and were spotted in the Grand Rapids area this week.  They are positioned at intersections and carry posters and try to get money from motorists.  The posters say they are collecting money to help pay for a child's funeral, but police say the story is false. 

Police say they have been spotted at 28th & Division and Leonard & Fuller and other areas.   

Authorities say It's not illegal to ask for money in public spaces but there are laws and ordinances that prohibit doing so under false pretenses. Blocking traffic for any reason also could lead to a citation. 

Law enforcement says to be careful how you decide to donate your money. Many times motorists are trying to make a split decision when approaching an intersection. There also is no effective way to verify every story and every sign along the side of the road, especially in the two minutes you wait at a stoplight.