The Poulsbo Police Department has received several reports of a noncriminal scam targeting local churches, and has released a description of the scam for public information.

They report a white female, about 60 years old with dyed red hair, has approached churches and charitable organizations in the area asking for money.

She tells a convincing story, that she was displaced from a home where she was the caretaker of someone who died, and came to town to stay with her daughter, but her daughter is out of town camping and unreachable by phone.

The same story was told in all scam reports, which occurred several weeks apart, according to a department news release.

“We believe there is no merit to her story and it is only a scam,” the release states.

The woman has been seen driving a white Mercury Villager minivan.

For information, call the Poulsbo Police at (360) 779-3113.

– Jennifer Morris