Watchdog warns charities and the public to protect themselves against fraudsters amid pandemic
1. Be fraud aware: -
All organisations are at risk from fraud – being a charity is no
defence.
- Be vigilant - in order to fight fraud, you need to find
fraud.
- Be sure your trustees, staff and volunteers know how to spot and report
fraud.
2.
Take time to check: -
- Ensure your charity has robust financial controls in place and knows
how to enforce them.
- Is there a counter-fraud policy that staff and volunteers are signed up
to?
- Trust is exploited by fraudsters – be willing to challenge unusual
activity and behaviour, whoever is involved.
3.
Keep your charity safe: -
- Prevention really is better than cure - taking simple steps now will
help protect your charity from harm.
- Building a strong counter-fraud culture is vital and will boost your
charity’s defences.
- Help is available - seek professional advice if you need
to
- Some charities may not even know they have been
defrauded.
Helen
Stephenson added:Sadly, the figures we’re seeing are likely to just be the tip of the
iceberg. We know that fraud is under-reported, and I worry that the pandemic may
have intensified that. Charities working remotely may be slower to discover
fraud in their new environments. We cannot fight fraud if we cannot find it, so
I’d urge anyone involved in charities to speak out if they see anything
suspicious.
“Check
before you give”The regulator also fears that the public’s generosity could be abused
before cash reaches charities. Action Fraud has received reports of a scam email purporting to be from HM Government
asking for donations to the NHS during the COVID-19
outbreak.
Anyone wanting to support NHS charities can search for charities via the
new register of charities and should always check for a registered charity number before
giving.The Commission has published advice for the public on how to ensure they are giving safely to registered
charities.
Helen
Stephenson warned:The fundraising efforts we’ve seen over the past 6 months have shown the
British tradition of charitable giving at its best. We must not allow that
generous spirit to be knocked by criminals. My message to everyone is to give
with your head as well as your heart: always check you are donating to a genuine
registered charity before giving.
Pauline
Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said:It’s a sad reality but unfortunately criminals will try to abuse the
generosity of others for their own gain. This can have a huge financial impact
on charities and the good causes they support.
Recently, criminals have been taking advantage of the increase in
charitable donations being made during the coronavirus pandemic, setting up fake
charities or impersonating well-known ones. We would encourage people not to be
put off donating to charities, but instead to be vigilant and make sure you do
your research to ensure you are giving your money to a legitimate organisation.
Don’t let your donation end up in a criminal’s
pocket.
Remember, if you think you’ve been the victim of a fraud, you should
report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123
2040.
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime
With BBC’s Children in Need and RBL’s Poppy appeal just around the
corner, yet alone, the many other campaigns that will be run during the
pandemic, make sure that you stay alert and do not get conned by any scams or
bogus collectors. House to House
and Street Collections: If you are
approached in the street, or at your door, all such collectors from a registered
charity, MUST wear an official identity badge.