Hunters for the Hungry reports donation scam
UNION CITY, Tenn. — Police say a man has been impersonating a Hunters for the Hungry representative and asking local businesses to make donations. An affiliate with the Tennessee Wildlife Federation charity contacted Union City police about the alleged scam, according to a police report. The charity says a man named Todd Cochrane of Martin has been posing as an employee or volunteer, asking for donations and then depositing the money in his personal bank account, according to a release from Hunters for the Hungry. The man is accused of asking for donations at several businesses including Home Builders Mart, Davis Group Investments, Furniture Barn, Kizer Pharmacy, Classy Clippers, Blue Steel Tool and State Farm Insurance, according to the report. Hunters for the Hungry released a statement in response to the alleged scam, reading in part: “We are obviously disturbed that this individual has taken advantage of the generosity of well-meaning people in the name of our Hunters for the Hungry program. Tennessee Wildlife Federation is a nonprofit conservation organization, and we rely on the support of Tennesseans to operate our programs. Hunters for the Hungry has provided 4.7 million meals to neighbors in need since the program was launched in 1998.” Anyone wishing to make a donation to the program can do so securely online at www.tnwf.org/donate.
