Local Resident Admits To Tornado Scam
Murfreesboro Woman Says She Lied About Mother Dying In Tornado
POSTED: 6:31 pm CST February 11,
2008
UPDATED: 10:49 pm CST February 11,
2008
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- Not even a week after deadly tornadoes hit middle Tennessee, authorities say someone is taking advantage of people who are opening their hearts and pocketbooks to storm victims.
Video: Woman Admits To Tornado ScamOn a Web site called www.wishuponahero.com, victims of the storms post their needs while others volunteer to grant their wishes.A recent headline on the site stated: "Tennessee Tornados Took Everything, Including My Mother..."A woman named "Trish" from Tennessee created the headline and writes on the site, "I lost my mother last night in the tornado…My brother and his wife are in serious condition at Sumner Medical Center…I am seeking donations of anything, used, new, anything. I sit here crying thinking of my mom and how much I love her and miss her already."It sounds like a credible story and Trish’s appeal won the sympathy and hearts of people around the country. One person asked for her children's clothes sizes, wondered if they needed new toys, while others sent prayers and condolences about her mother.But it turn out that none of Trish’s pleas are true.Channel 4 tracked down "Trish," whose full name is Patricia Reid. She lives in Murfreesboro, miles from where the tornados actually hit."I would appreciate no more phone calls. My mother is fine and everything like that," said Reid."That was a lie, then?" asked Channel 4 reporter Nancy Amons."Yes, it was, ma'am, OK?" said Reid."Why would you do that?" asked Amons."Because I was trying to get help for some people who were, who lost some stuff, OK?" said Reid.Channel 4 also found that Reid has a felony theft conviction in Rutherford County.She said she only got $3 from the Web page, but it appears she's posted other appeals before. In July 2006, she said she had cancer and $600,000 in medical bills."How would we know what to believe and what not to believe, if you lied about your mother being dead?" asked Amons."You don't have to believe anything," said Reid.The man who runs the Web site said whenever there are heroes, there are also villains and warned people who are inclined to grant wishes to do their own truth-testing. Click here to find out credible ways to donate to victims affected by the tornadoes.
Video: Woman Admits To Tornado ScamOn a Web site called www.wishuponahero.com, victims of the storms post their needs while others volunteer to grant their wishes.A recent headline on the site stated: "Tennessee Tornados Took Everything, Including My Mother..."A woman named "Trish" from Tennessee created the headline and writes on the site, "I lost my mother last night in the tornado…My brother and his wife are in serious condition at Sumner Medical Center…I am seeking donations of anything, used, new, anything. I sit here crying thinking of my mom and how much I love her and miss her already."It sounds like a credible story and Trish’s appeal won the sympathy and hearts of people around the country. One person asked for her children's clothes sizes, wondered if they needed new toys, while others sent prayers and condolences about her mother.But it turn out that none of Trish’s pleas are true.Channel 4 tracked down "Trish," whose full name is Patricia Reid. She lives in Murfreesboro, miles from where the tornados actually hit."I would appreciate no more phone calls. My mother is fine and everything like that," said Reid."That was a lie, then?" asked Channel 4 reporter Nancy Amons."Yes, it was, ma'am, OK?" said Reid."Why would you do that?" asked Amons."Because I was trying to get help for some people who were, who lost some stuff, OK?" said Reid.Channel 4 also found that Reid has a felony theft conviction in Rutherford County.She said she only got $3 from the Web page, but it appears she's posted other appeals before. In July 2006, she said she had cancer and $600,000 in medical bills."How would we know what to believe and what not to believe, if you lied about your mother being dead?" asked Amons."You don't have to believe anything," said Reid.The man who runs the Web site said whenever there are heroes, there are also villains and warned people who are inclined to grant wishes to do their own truth-testing. Click here to find out credible ways to donate to victims affected by the tornadoes.Copyright 2008 by WSMV.com. All rights reserved.
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