Huntington Police Warn Residents About Phony Telephone Solicitation

Police are warning residents not to give money to a man who has been soliciting donations by phone and contending they are for the Huntington Beach Neighborhood Watch program.

The man, who has identified himself as Rick Thomas, recently called several residents seeking donations. Police said Tuesday that anyone who receives such a call should know that the man is scamming and that the money will not go to Neighborhood Watch.

“We don’t do any phone solicitation,” said Lt. Dan Johnson, the department spokesman. “We want everybody to know that this is not from the Huntington Beach Neighborhood Watch program and they should not contribute. If they do get calls, they should call us so we can look into it.”

Anyone with questions about the calls, or anyone with information about the caller or his phone number, is encouraged to call the Neighborhood Watch program at (714) 536-5933.