Cookeville donors beware.  Goodwill has been notified that someone is calling area homeowners holding estate or garage sales, identifying himself as a Goodwill employee, and offering to take any unsold items off their hands.  He’s not from Goodwill.

At least three homeowners in the Cookeville area have contacted Goodwill to report they’ve been called by the would-be thief, who has given potential victims a bogus phone number, giving Cookeville police little to go by in their investigation.

In order to ensure you do not fall prey to this scam, please know:

• Goodwill does not solicit donations through cold calling.
• Goodwill’s special projects manager coordinates home pick-up of items and only if the request meets certain requirements.  To learn more about home pick-ups, please click here.
• Goodwill’s special projects team will be clearly identified when members arrive for the pick-up.
• Every Goodwill employee wears a uniform, will arrive in a branded Goodwill truck, will have company identification and provide a Goodwill receipt.

If you have been asked to donate to Goodwill by an unidentified caller, please call the Cookeville police department and Goodwill's corporate offices at 615-742-4151.

Share the story: