Raleigh Police Warn Residents About Fake Shop with a Cop Donation Scam

Scammers are exploiting one of the Raleigh Police Department's most visible community programs, using the "Shop with a Cop" name to fraudulently solicit donations from Wake County residents through phone calls, emails, social media messages, and physical mail.

The Raleigh Police Department issued a warning Saturday that scammers are using its name in a fake "Shop with a Cop" donation drive. "Shop with a Cop" is an annual police fundraiser that typically happens around the holidays, and RPD is not currently running any donation drive.

"We have received reports of scams contacting individuals by phone, email, social media, and mail," the Raleigh Police Department said in a news release. Scammers are falsely claiming to collect donations for the program while requesting personal or financial information.

The police department does not solicit donations for Shop with a Cop and will never make threats or promises to community members in connection with this or any program. RPD will not call residents to solicit money, ask for donations, or make any threats.

Anyone who receives a suspicious contact should take a few specific steps. If a call comes in, do not provide any information, try to record the call if possible, and write down the number. Do not click links or scan QR codes from emails or social media messages claiming to represent RPD. If you receive a suspicious request or believe you may have been targeted, call 911 or submit a report online. Non-emergency reports can also be made by calling Raleigh Police at 919-829-1911.

The legitimate Shop with a Cop program was established to foster positive relationships between local youth and police officers, providing a relaxed opportunity for officers to engage with children and help break down misconceptions while spreading holiday joy. Officers were most recently photographed inside a Raleigh Target in December 2025 during the program. Scammers counting on that goodwill and name recognition are now weaponizing it against the very community the program is designed to serve.