Off-duty cop uncovers fake ChuckStrong wristbands

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - While ChuckStrong wristbands were being handed out for donations Sunday, similar-looking ones were being sold outside the stadium. But they were fake.

An off duty officer working security at the Colts game came upon a man selling the phony wristbands for $1. He said he worked for the American Cancer Society.

The officer, Sgt. Brian Hedger, took the man’s I.D. and phony wristbands.

“These guys are out in the area defrauding people to make a profit,” Hedger said. “I’m pretty angry about it because they (are) out there doing it for personal gain.”

ChuckStrong wristbands are part of the effort to honor Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano by raising money for leukemia research.

Outside Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, the Colts and IU Health were handing out blue ChuckStrong wristbands for free, asking for donations for leukemia research at IU Health's Simon Cancer Center.

"I wouldn't have questioned it to be honest with you. I mean, very convincing, very polite. Very professional looking. Had the logos Had the ID," said Sgt. Hedger. He was working the Colts game looking for something else, when he discovered this man wearing what appeared to be an American Cancer Society ID that identified him as "Jim" holding a bag of what appeared to be ChuckStrong bracelets.

"And he stated that he was with the American Cancer Society and was asking for donations of a dollar, or was selling these for a dollar itself," said Sgt. Hedger.

But the American Cancer Society has nothing to do with the ChuckStrong initiative. And in small print on the ID it says "not directly affiliated with the American Cancer Society.” Sgt. Hedger asked the man to show his permit; he went to get it and disappeared.

The legitimate ChuckStrong bracelets are orange and are for sale only at the Colts Pro Shops and on their website. Blue bracelets were being handed out at the game for free. The fake ones were only blue, thicker than the real ones and had different looking lettering.

Stephanie Pemberton with Colts Community Relations says whenever the team is involved in a fundraiser, details about it are listed on the teams website. Outside the stadium, signage from the Colts will identify collection sites.

"Just taking a few extra minutes and going to the website and making sure that you know what's going on at the stadium on that day. You know the collection the Colts have selected can go a long way in making sure your dollars are going to the right place," she says.

Sgt. Hedger said Jim was wearing what appeared to be an American Cancer Society hat and shirt. Sgt. Hedger said another officer saw a van with about 10 men dressed like Jim leaving the Lucas Oil Stadium area. So it's likely this was no random act, but rather a well-planned scam.

The Colts say fans have bought $178,000 in ChuckStrong shirts and bracelets, which will benefit leukemia research.