Vienna Police Chief Mike Pifer is warning local residents about scam phone calls seeking donations for the "American Police Officers Alliance."

Chief Pifer, of the Vienna Police Department, says he recently received a phone call from 304-397-7097, from a gentleman named "John," requesting a donation of $25, $50, or $100 for the "American Police Officers Alliance."

Pifer says he has never heard of the "American Police Officers Alliance," and asked "John" several questions to verify the legitimacy of the organization.

Pifer says "John" avoided answering his questions directly, but recited the group's "mission statement," which can be found on the group's Facebook page.

When we called the group's 304-397-7097 number, a message stated the number is not accepting calls.

Researching the "American Police Officers Alliance" on the IRS website reveals it is not registered with the IRS as a 527C nonprofit organization, and it has never donated anything to a political cause or group.

Charity Navigator, a popular website that verifies the legitimacy of charities and nonprofit organizations, does not have a listing for the "American Police Officers Alliance" on its website.

On the "American Police Officers Alliance" Facebook page, many people report being scammed by the group, and some also say the phone number listed on the group's website is answered by an answering service instead of the group itself.