Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office warns of Ava Wood phishing scam fundraisers | #datingscams | #lovescams | #facebookscams


Baldwinsville, N.Y. — The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of a possible phishing scam that claims to benefit the family of a 14-year-old Baldwinsville girl killed in a murder-suicide.

Ava Wood was shot to death Jan. 20 at her father’s home in the village of Baldwinsville; police say her father, 51-year-old Christopher Wood, killed Ava, then himself.

Since her death, the Baldwinsville community has rallied behind Ava’s family, donating thousands of dollars, attending a prayer service/vigil and reaching out to help the family.

The sheriff’s office issued a statement Monday saying it has received reports of the possible phishing scam related to fundraising money for Ava’s family.

Phishing is an online scam that targets people by sending them an e-mail that appears to be from a well-known source, such as an internet service provider, a bank or mortgage company, according to the Federal Trade Commission. It asks the consumer to provide personal identifying information that the scammer uses to open new accounts, or invade their existing accounts.

The family has three approved sites, according to the sheriff’s office.

1. The family-approved GoFundMe, which has so far raised more than $65,000.

2. Ava Wood Memorial Scholarship, established through the Baldwinsville Community Scholarship Foundation – Dollars For Scholars. The scholarship will be awarded each year in Ava’s name to a graduating senior from Charles W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville.

3. Remembering Ava Wood is a Facebook page maintained by Ava’s family, according to the sheriff’s office.

Ava was a ninth-grader at Durgee Junior High School in Baldwinsville. She was an honor student, who played on the JV soccer team and ran track.

The sheriff’s office asks anyone who has been scammed to contact the FBI’s internet complaint center.

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Ava’s obituary

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Related Syracuse.com articles

B’ville community gathers for funeral of 14-year-old girl killed by father in murder-suicide

Ava Wood ran fast, shared her gummies, and made friends laugh: ‘Trying hard was her thing’

Mom of Ava Wood’s message to Central NY: Thank you for outpouring of love, support

14-year-old girl fatally shot in apparent murder-suicide by dad in Baldwinsville home

Police called on Baldwinsville dad involved in apparent murder-suicide twice before: Why no arrests?

Have a tip or a story idea? Contact Catie O’Toole: cotoole@syracuse.com | text/call 315-470-2134 | Twitter | Facebook.





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