WHATCOM, Wash.  (Mike Curtiss)  -- The Washington State Patrol is warning people that reports of calls asking for donations to support the Amber Alert program appear to be a scam.

The State Patrol oversees the Amber Alert system for missing children in Washington.

Some residents have received phone calls asking for donations to support the program.

The State Patrol released a statement saying they are not soliciting for Amber Alert donations, and neither are www.amberalert.com or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Troopers don't rely on public donations to run the program.

They say it's important to ask questions and research any charity before making a donation.