Officials warn of pink bag scam

Phyllis McClendon, director of the Haven, and Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson warn that the pink bags that have been showing up on citizens' doors is a scam and is not affiliated with the local Haven. They also said not to place items in the pink bags and if you have already put one together call the Haven and they will come out and collect it.

However, if you have already put them on your door take them inside.

" On Friday there were pink bags all over Westminster Village," said McClendon.

The bag claims there is a new shelter coming to Mississippi County for help with domestic violence, but McClendon said she has spoken to other directors in the state, and they told her that no new shelters were coming to the county or the State of Arkansas. On Saturday, the bags had hit Osceola as well.

" We don't want people to think we organized this event, because we have our biggest fundraiser coming up with Domestic Violence month," said McClendon. " This isn't how we do things."

Blytheville and Osceola are not the only place to have been hit, according to both McClendon and Chief Thompson. Cities such as Germantown and Nashville have also been hit with pink bags on doors.

The responsible company is based out of Lawerenceville, Georgia and the website is ClothingPickup.com.

According to Chief Ross Thompson, to be able to go door-to-door you have to have a city permit that was never sought after or gotten.

" The local Haven does a great job and we don't want their name ruined duet this," said Chief Thompson.

If someone comes to collect a pink bag for the company, please call the Blytheville Police Department. Also if you filled up the bag and thought it was for the local Haven and still want to give the clothing items to the Haven, call the Haven at 870-532-6669 and a person will come out with identification proving they are with the Haven and pick up the items.

"We want to help eliminate domestic violence and are open 24 hours, seven days every week of the year."

" Cuddos to the volunteers who received the bags and got word out to other people in the community letting them know that it was a scam," said McClendon.