Fake Charities in NYC Investigated

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The state said Thursday it is investigating groups that may be posing as charities collecting money for New York City police and firefighters in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"We have received a number of complaints and are aware of a number of organizations that are using the name of the police and fire department that appear to have no connection," said Juanita Scarlett, spokeswoman for Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

Spitzer has obtained subpoenas, but won't disclose names of the groups he's targeting. He said they may use official-sounding names and high-pressure telemarketers.

The New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund does not solicit donations by telephone, officials said.

The New York City Police Foundation is the only organization authorized to raise money for the Police Department and it never solicits by telephone, said spokeswoman Pamela Delaney.

About $1.4 billion has been collected by major charities since Sept. 11, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.