Disability Rights UK has contacted the police after several street fundraisers were seen fraudulently collecting funds from the general public using its brand and logo.
The charity, which issued an alert yesterday, told Civil Society that such frauds have been happening on and off since last year.
It said in some instances, the imposters have pretended to be deaf and used sign language, which was caught by a signer on one occasion and subsequently reported to the charity.
Disability Rights UK said imposters have been using the charity’s badge in places like Kent, Romford and a car park outside a supermarket in London.
The charity reported the activity to Action Fraud and the respective local police where the imposters were asking for funds from the public.
‘We are very concerned’
Disability Rights UK does not undertake any street fundraising itself and currently only accepts donations through its website.
Rebecca Clarkson, head of partnerships at the charity, told Civil Society: “There is never an occasion where somebody from Disability Rights UK should be approaching anybody and saying ‘please give us money’. That isn’t what we do.
“This is something we are taking very seriously, and we are very concerned about it.”
She added: “If people are ever in the slightest doubt about any donation, don’t do it. Please get in contact with us if there are any worries or questions that anyone has.”
A spokesperson for the Fundraising Regulator told Civil Society: “Fraudsters and criminals may take advantage of public generosity. A face-to-face fundraiser should have a licence from the relevant local authority licensing team or the Metropolitan Police (in Greater London).
“Individuals should never feel under pressure to donate immediately when approached by a fundraiser on the street. You can ask the collector for more information, and if in doubt, wait and donate directly at a time that suits you.”
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