The Cole County Health Department's scam alert is over.
After receiving reports that someone was trying to raise funds by claiming they worked for the health department, Director Marie Peoples said late Friday afternoon that they had reached an agreement to stop the fundraising.
Peoples said "fund raisers" were trying to sell breast cancer awareness T-shirts and advertisement space in the health department's newsletter, for $195.
An investigation into the solicitations revealed that this particular business had contacted the health department approximately a month ago about providing free T-shirts for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
But Friday afternoon it was learned that, in order to provide the free T-shirts, the company was soliciting funding from area businesses.
Peoples said her department never authorized the fund-raising activities.
As a reminder, Peoples noted that the health department does not sell promotional items, nor do they publish a newsletter.
They do operate a website and Facebook page, both of which provide free health updates and emergency alerts to Cole County residents.