Calkin said Coastguard Bay of Islands, like any charity, always needed more money but never used cold-calling as a fundraising method — so any phone call asking for cash and purporting to be from Coastguard Bay of Islands was a scam.
The same was true for Coastguard Northern Region and Coastguard New Zealand, she said.
There was nothing distinctive about the caller's voice or accent but it appeared to be someone with local knowledge, because the scammer knew the engines on Coastguard Bay of Islands' rescue boat were currently being repaired.
Calkin said the group had not asked the public for donations to help pay for the engine repairs.
Instead the work was being funded by the group itself and by Coastguard Northern Region.
The scammer had asked for donations by internet banking but hung up when pressed for a contact name or phone number.
Russ Devin, a Coastguard volunteer since 2005, was angry that someone would try to exploit the group's good name for their own profit.
''Anyone who does that is scum really. And that's the nicest word I can think of.''
■ Have you been called by someone claiming to be from Coastguard Bay of Islands and asking for money? If so contact Kerikeri Police on (09) 407 9211, the Advocate's Kerikeri office on (09) 407 3287 or peter.degraaf@northernadvocate.co.nz.