Women’s Aid Armagh Down have issued a “fraud alert” to the public after a woman with “no known connection” to the organisation was reported to be collecting money on their behalf.
In the warning published on May 3, the non-profit organisation based in Newry who provide support and accommodation to women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse advised the public to take caution when making donations.
Detailing the suspicious activity, they said: “Women’s Aid Armagh Down have today received a report of a woman in Corn Market in Newry, claiming to be fundraising on behalf of Women’s Aid.
“This woman has no known connection to our organisation and has no permissions to collect on our behalf.”
Women’s Aid Armagh Down advised that they are working with PSNI to report this “fraudulent activity and abuse of our charity name”.
The organisation have also issued advice to the public about how to spot an official fundraiser, adding : “Any person fundraising on behalf of Women’s Aid Armagh Down will always either have workplace identification on their person or will have received an official letter of authority to raise such funds and should be able to present this when requested.”
They continued: “We are always extremely grateful for the support of our communities, from fundraising for an with us to supporting the many who fundraise on our behalf.
“So when someone takes advantage of the generosity of others and does so using our name, we will not stand by and do nothing.”
