I never ever elect to give money or card numbers to a caller on the phone. It could be and probably will be a scam/ - Contribute to local or legit addresses and to well known organizations - but check out how much of your money actually goes to the organization and how much ends up in the organizers' pockets! before giving!
I got a call From 1-937-401-0503 that ID'ed as 'Local Call Area'. It was the newer type robo call that sounds like a real person (to find if it is 'real' or 'robo' simply ask the day of the week). I am in the 614 area and am not 'Local' to the 937 area. It was a call about supporting Ohio Firefighters. Beware the bottom feeders are lurking.
Answered because the # was in my general area. After a long pause (so probably a robo-dialer), male caller asked for spouse by first name. Not available, I responded. Caller said he could talk to either one of us. Said he was from Dayton OH police, starts into donation speech and I cut him off with a "we do not do these things over the phone". Dayton is beyond the area where we would even pay taxes for police support. Added # to callblock.
This caller id read Dayton Ohio the number was 937-401-0503. He asked for me by first name very sternly and than identified himself as a police officer with the police department. I could not imagine why the police were calling me . I furthermore did not know what police dept he was referring to. Than he went into a fundraising speech and stated if I wanted more info I could follow up at the Sarasota Florida office. I declined as I do not give out info or donations over the phone. Strange ...did not seem legit. These 401 number could be anywhere.