Beware of Katie Barron donation scam
The Clearwater Tribune Monday was made aware of an e-mail scam in which the sender poses as Russell Barron, father of three-year-old Orofino leukemia patient Katie Barron and asks persons to visit www.paypal.com and make a donation to help pay for Katie’s medical expenses.
Katie is a real girl with a real plight, but this email is believed to be a scam. Persons wishing to contribute to the real Katie Barron’s medical expenses may do so in the name of Russell Barron at the following Orofino, ID financial establishments: AmericanWest Bank 208-476-9200, Potlatch No. 1 Federal Credit Union 208-476-7458 or Lewis Clark Credit Union 208-476-5112.
The e-mail also lists a link to the Clearwater Tribune’s recent article on Katie. The article’s webpage has been renamed so the link is no longer valid. The re-named webpage has a warning at the top.
The Clearwater Tribune received a call Monday from a retired pastor at the Park Hill Church of Christ in Fort Smith, AK stating the church had received the scam e-mail circulating the internet.
According to him, following investigative research, the source of the e-mail scam was found to be a 20-year-old male in Romania.
Below is the scam e-mail which is circulating the internet:
Hello Everyone. I have a 3 year old that was diagnosed with Cancer onOctober 30, 2007. Though she is doing good now we still have to drive 600+ miles a week for her chemotherapy as she is in the delayed intinceification stage. We live in Idaho and haft to drive to Spokane Washington (Sacred Heart Medical center) for her treatment. I work full time as a Garbage truck driver and make 12.25 an hour. I have tried SSI but I make to much money. Anyways I can't pay my bills and am maxed out on credit cards. I need HELP!! If anyone knows of any good places to apply for help please let me know! Her is a link to see our daughter in the local paper http://www.clearwatertribune.com/Weekly%20Pages/03-27-08/March2708KatieBarron.htm/ If you would like to donate you can do so at www.paypal.com and send donation to racla2005@email.ro. Please help us as we are sinking literlley!