A WARNING has been issued as a conman tries to scam money from businesses by claiming to be a firefighter collecting donations.

The bogus caller rang The Frenchgate Restaurant and Hotel, in Richmond, on April 9, and asked for money to aid fire safety work in local schools.

Staff at the hotel, on Frenchgate, were suspicious of the request and they refused to give any money before checking with North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The emergency service has confirmed the caller was a fake and it is warning local businesses to be on guard against such scams.

Helen Mellor, media manager of the North Yorks fire service, said: "Staff at the hotel got in touch with us to check out the man.

"They wanted to check if we were asking for donations and we aren’t and neither are Teesside’s or Durham’s fire services.

"The call came from a County Durham number from somewhere in the Bishop Auckland area and the man even left a name.

"We do fire safety work but it is normally for free. If we do go to properties it’s arranged in advance and staff will be in uniforms and with id.

"We are not aware of any such fundraising initiative going on in North Yorkshire on behalf of the fire and rescue service."

She added that if in doubt over the identity of the caller people should contact the police to make sure.

David Todd, owner of The Frenchgate Restaurant and Hotel, said: "It’s only right and proper that people are warned about these conmen.

"We get calls quite frequently claiming to be from the fire or ambulance service or other groups asking for money for advertising and then it never appears.

"I reported it to the fire service and the message to legitimate causes is to be aware that people are doing this as it could cause real damage to good causes."

A police spokesman said: "If people are contacted by organisations claiming to be fund raising for any of the emergency services they are advised to contact the service to confirm the validity of the call and if it is bogus they should report the call to their local police force."

Anyone concerned over the validity of a caller who claims to be from the fire brigade should call the service on 01609-780150.

Details can also be found at the service’s website at by visiting www.northyorksfire.gov.uk.