While shopping you get the opportunity. A group of young men approach you to donate for a “Stop the Violence Basketball Game Tournament.” It’s sponsored by Evanston Township High School and CeaseFire, a violence prevention program. The game is tomorrow at the high school or a nearby recreational center. All you have to do is give at least $5 so that team members can purchase new uniforms.

So you reach into your pocket to help, right? Not so fast, Chicago-area police and community leaders say. And in this case, not at all. None of the organizations or centers these solicitors mention has heard about or sponsor these weekly games.

While sitting inside a Burger King in downtown Evanston last week, I was approached by two young men. With the event flyer stuck in my head and inside my purse, I thought these young men resembled the solicitors who had just approached me two blocks away. So I asked them about the game, although they were more bent on asking me out. To my surprise, I got laughter and details surrounding the hoax.

And you, too, may not ever be able to stop con artists from hitting the streets. But you can control where your money goes, said Evanston Police Cmdr. Tom Gunther.

Gunther said the police are aware of the fraudulent activity and similar scams that use other organizations’ names, including the police department, on flyers. Investigations are under way. The young men have been spotted outside stores in Evanston and Skokie.

“It’s unfortunate that some people are taking advantage of the situation. It makes it hard for good organizations,” Locke said. “We’re a respected program that works hard for the kids.”