WESLACO, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a warning to the public to be cautious of fundraising efforts allegedly used to support state troopers.
In a Facebook post, DPS says that scammers often will attempt to exploit the public's generosity following the injury of a law enforcement officer.
This warning comes after the shooting of state trooper Moises Sanchez in Edinburg.
Sanchez was investigating a motor vehicle crash when he was shot by a man suspected to be the driver who fled on foot. DPS identified the suspect as 24-year-old Victor Alejandro Godinez of Edinburg. Godinez was arrested and charged with three counts of attempted capital murder of a peace officer on April 7.
According to DPS, Sanchez remains in critical, but stable condition.
DPS is reminding everyone that wishes to assist Sanchez's family financially to donate via one of two confirmed methods: depositing cash, check or money order to the Texas National Bank account that has been established for the Sanchez family or donating directly to the family's PayPal account.
DPS advises that anyone who has been contacted by a group believed to be misrepresenting itself or operating fraudulently to contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-621-0508 or local law enforcement.
KTBC reported this story from Austin, Texas.