Seminole County Sheriff Shannon Smith is warning area residents to not make donations to a group that claims it is raising funds for the sheriff’s office.

Smith said he has received reports that the U.S. Deputy Sheriff’s Association is making unauthorized phone calls seeking money for equipment.

“If you receive a call from the U.S. Deputy’s Association requesting donations to purchase bullet proof vest for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, do not make a donation,” Smith said.

“They are in no way associated with our office and they have not been requested to purchase anything for us. Again, do not make any donation or provide any information to this organization,” Smith added.

Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator, gives the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association one star for accountability and transparency, and reports that 88% of the group’s funds go toward fundraising expenses with just 5.5% spent on actual program expenses.

This is based on the latest income statements available (from 2018), which reported about $12 million in revenues. Consumer Reports also put it on a 2019 list of “Worst Charities for your Donations.”