JCPS says scammers are posing as students, stealing money meant as donations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools said scammers are posing as high school athletes in order to garner phony fundraising from school communities.

Specifically, people are posing as Waggener High School student-athletes. Donald Stivers, who lives near the school in St. Matthews, said he recently handed over money for candy bars for the school's dance team. Now, he isn't sure if his donation really benefited students.

"I was in sports myself, and I always appreciated in scouts and trying to fundraise hunting for uniforms or whatever," Stivers said Friday. "I didn't know if it was legit or not. I was just helping them out."

The district said Thursday that Waggener's athletic director received a call from a community member Wednesday saying there were "young adults" asking for donations for the school's football team at a Thornton's on Shelbyville Road.

The football coach went to check it out. The people collecting money reportedly asked him to donate, claiming they were Waggener basketball players.

JCPS said the coach let them know he works at Waggener and knows they are not affiliated with the school. That's when they ran off.

The district said the collection is a scam and it's also received calls from other community members reporting they've seen the scammers at other businesses.

"I just feel like they should get what's coming for them and eventually be sought out that it's a scam and they aren't taking advantage of people," Stivers said.

Other neighbors said the scam itself is shame because athletes and band students rely on fundraising each year. Before donating, one option is to see if they have a JCPS badge or ID on them.

Waggener's football coach was unavailable for an interview Friday.

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