ONEIDA CASTLE, N.Y. -- Firefighters in Oneida Castle want to make the public aware of a reported phone scam claiming to be raising money for the volunteer fire department.

Currently, the department is hosting its annual fund drive asking for public donations. That process is done by going door to door and leaving an envelope for people to mail in. However, they became aware Tuesday morning of a phone caller claiming to be with the department asking individuals to donate over the phone, which has caused concern around the fire house.

"We have never authorized anybody to make telephone solicitations for us and we're concerned that, one, people are going to think that we're double dipping into them and two, this is definitely unauthorized and we have no idea where this money is going," said Oneida Castle Assistant Fire Chief Ed Lottermosser.

Upon discovery, firefighters reported the incident to the Oneida Police Department who are handling the investigation.