Seattle Children’s Hospital warns of mail scam

WENATCHEE – North-central Washington residents have received scam mailings asking for donations for an “emergency fund” to supposedly benefit the families of Seattle Children’s Hospital patients.

Susan Blake, director of operations for Seattle Children’s, said by phone Tuesday that hospital officials have reported the so-called “Children’s Hospital Emergency Fund” to the state attorney general’s office. The fund has no connection with the hospital, she said.

“We’ve had some donors contact us as ask, ‘Is this you?’ and we say, ‘No, it’s not,’” Blake said, adding that she doesn’t know if anyone has actually sent donations to the fund.

Recipients receive a personalized, black-and-white, donation form topped by a line drawing of six cartoon children holding hands. On the form, the fund claims to be a nonprofit with tax ID 91-1720940.

The fund’s “charity helper” is listed as Keith Francis. Along with the form is a self-addressed, unstamped return envelope for the donation. On this return envelope both the sender’s and the recipient’s address lists the same Wenatchee PO Box 2024.

The solicitation claims to help support low-income families whose children are undergoing treatment at Seattle Children’s.

“To give these families some comfort during their crisis, the Children’s Hospital Emergency Fund takes care of medical emergencies and basic expenses low-income parents incur, allowing the family to focus on the health of their child,” the donation form says.

Jim and Claudia Patterson of East Wenatchee received one of the scam donation letters, postmarked from Tacoma in April. They suspected it was fraudulent – a suspicion they confirmed by calling the hospital. They also reported it to the Wenatchee World.

Local police advise area residents to be cautious when responding any request for payment, donation or personal information by regular mail or email.