Havens Hospice issues warning after men posing as fundraisers spotted across Essex
Posted on: July 5, 2018
Originally Posted by The Echo: www.echo-news.co.uk
A local hospice is urging the public to be vigilant after reports of men posing as fundraisers for the charity.
The two men are claiming to work for Havens Hospices which incorporates Little Havens Hospice in Thundersley, Fair Havens Hospice in Westcliff, and The J’s Hospice in Witham.
They have targeted two supporters, in Rayleigh and then in Chelmsford – where they have unsuccessfully tried to pick up and replace collection tins for the charity that cares for children, young people and adults with life-limiting illnesses.
Carmel Hudson, community fundraising manager, said: “In May, we were informed by a supporter in Rayleigh that they had been targeted by two fraudsters.
“It appears that two men have sourced old collection tins to try and trick supporters into swapping their full tins for empty ones.
“Thankfully our supporter noticed that the men didn’t have formal identification and that the seal was broken on the tin; so contacted Havens Hospices and the police.
“We’ve now been informed by a supporter in Chelmsford that they’ve also been targeted by one man claiming to be there to swap the collection tins.
“We believe that he is one of the men from the original incident in Rayleigh.
“We have raised this matter with the Police and urge our supporters to be vigilant, our fundraisers always wear formal identification and the tins will always be sealed; so if you are approached by someone claiming to be a fundraiser for Havens who does not have ID or the tin they try to give you has a broken seal please report it to us or the Police as soon as possible.”
Bruce Burgess, Essex Police said: “Essex Police are investigating unauthorised attempts to take charity boxes from shops and other premises.
“We urge anyone being told to handover their donation boxes to ask to see identification. If you are still suspicious please call the charity or the police.
“We will not tolerate the generosity of the community being abused by the selfishness and greed of a few.”
If you have any information regarding this story or see anything suspicious please contact Essex Police on 101 referencing: 42/68891/18
