Charity donation fraud

Giving funds to charities or vulnerable people, knocking at your doorstep, or the idea of volunteers working for the underprivileged appears motivating. 

But there has been an increase in people pressured to donate by charity workers. In addition, there has been a rise in doorstep scams where people seek different ways to request donations. 

Many received unsolicited calls or were visited inappropriately by such people, and several elderly, vulnerable people found it scary to support such volunteers. 

How Does It Happen?

The scammers pose as collectors who seek charity from the public and use the name of a reputable person or firm to get money. They may claim they are collecting sponsorship funds for some event. 

In one such incident, the volunteers said they were from a COVID support group, collecting donations to provide fast-track testing and vaccines to people. They may get money or items from people, which they sell and keep the money. 

How To Spot It?

All charities should be registered, and the volunteers should have a license to collect public money. So, if anyone asks for funds, ask for their IDs and license details. You can tell the volunteers to get the collection at their authorised office directly.

They provide fake addresses and want to know your bank account or credit card details. However, if the organisation is into genuine charity, the number and address are in the phone books.

They ask the victim to call a phone number, which could be a premium rate number.

How To Identify the Fraud?

• If the marketing material or the website of the charity has spelling mistakes.

• If they cannot provide authentic documents or proofs or tell alternative stories for not having a license.

• If the charity was created recently, after a major natural disaster.

If you suspect fraud, report it to the regulatory bodies.