Police warning over bogus charity collectors in Kilburn
Police have warned Kilburn residents over claims of bogus charity collectors in the area. Pic: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
Officers have received reports of fraudsters claiming to affliated to The Red Cross
Police have issued a warning to be vigilant after fraudsters posing as charity fundraisers attempted to get residents in Kilburn to sign up to direct debits.
Police were called earlier this afternoon to an address in Mazenod Avenue, over reports ‘aggressive callers’ had been asking residents to sign up to regular payments.
The callers claimed they were from the Red Cross, a charity which helps people in crisis across the world, but were unable to show identification on request.
Camden Police said they were made aware of the crime but added that it was rare in the area.
The area was searched but no suspects were found.
However, a spokesman for the police urged all residents who may be approached to follow guidelines including looking for documentation and checking they are registered with the Charity Commission.
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Other measures to take include; contacting the local authority or police to check whether the collector has been given a licence to collect and to watch out for poor grammar and spelling in emails and other documents, including collection envelopes.
He added that anyone who was a victim should contact the police or Action Fraud.
He said: Reports received by Action Fraud are fed into the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), the central facility overseen by City of London Police to coordinate fraud investigation.”
Further advice is available from Action Fraud. http://actionfraud.org.uk/ or call 0300 123 2040.
