Residents cautioned to check credentials before donating
Bogus charity collectors are once again operating in the area according to local Police. Residents are being warned not to assume that all charity callers or charity leaflets posted through letterboxes are genuine following reports of fake charity collections.
The most recent incident involved a young female aged approximately 15 years who was knocking on doors claiming to be collecting money for charity.
The suspect informed residents she was collecting sponsorship money for a school project in aid of a village in Africa and a school project, in association with the charity organisation Concern, in aid of vulnerable children. On two separate occasions it has been reported that two handbags have been stolen from elderly victims during their brief encounter with the suspect.
The suspect is described as a white female, approximately 15 years old, brown hair, 5ft 5”, with an English accent and wearing dark clothing.
Police are appealing to anyone who may have any information, which could help with their investigation to contact Ealing Borough Police on 020-8810-1212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.
A spokesperson for Ealing Borough Police said, “Unfortunately you cannot assume that all charity door-to-door callers are genuine. Bogus charity collectors prey on people's good will to fill their own pockets. Whilst there are genuine registered charities that utilise door-to door collection techniques, it's always a good idea to check the credentials of the collectors before donating. If in doubt, make a donation direct to the charity of your choice instead. If people can avoid being duped by bogus collectors, genuine charities can only benefit.”
Anyone wishing to check on whether companies or their associates are registered charities, can telephone the Charity Commission on 0845 300 0218 or search their website at www.charity-commission.gov.uk
Other stories used by bogus callers have been a woman who used her two young daughters, aged 9 and 12 to obtain money by deception. The mother used her daughters to falsely collect sponsorship money for a sponsored silence in aid of a Macmillan Cancer Support, which didn’t exist. Police believe the accused carried out this fraud across the W3, W4, and W5 areas and may have collected as much as £2000.
It has also been reported that a young female was calling to residential addresses and stopping people in the street asking for money to visit a relative who had been involved in a serious accident. Police suggest that if residents are approached with such a request that you point the individual in the direction of the nearest police station where there will be able to assist them.
November 13, 2007