Garda crackdown on bogus collectors

Gardaí are cracking down on bogus charity collectors around Galway City.

The problem was described as “rampant” by city councillor Frank Fahy, who said many bogus collectors on city centre streets carry fake documentation.

“I confronted one man outside Corbettcourt who claimed to be collecting for a charity that I am associated with. I contacted the group and they knew nothing about him. He even had fake identification and the guards were called. “It is becoming a lot more common, it’s rampant around this time of year, preying on people’s generosity.

“Gardaí need to be constantly monitoring for these people on CCTV, and I will be raising the issue at the next Joint Policing Committee meeting,” said Cllr Fahy. At the moment, there is a crackdown in the city by Gardaí.

Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Pat Flanagan told the Galway City Tribune that bogus collectors are always a problem in the run-up to Christmas, and advised people to ask collectors for identification.

“The Superintendent has ordered that all collectors be checked, around the city and the county as well.

“Members of the public should always satisfy themselves that they are given to a bona fide collector. Anyone who is collecting, whether it is on the street or door-to-door should be in possession of a permit from the Chief Superintendent’s office here in Galway,” said Sgt Flanagan. However, he said there is an anomaly in the system, whereby some national charitable organisations may have permits which were issued in Dublin, but are used around the country.

“It’s up to the public to be on guard. Perhaps they should pick one local or national organisation to donate to, and make sure it goes straight to the head office, and cut out the middleman,” said Sgt Flanagan.

He also warned people to be on the lookout for bogus callers who target the elderly at home.

“We have seen an increase in this activity over the last number of years, where they purport to be checking water meters, or are from the Health Board, or even pretending to be Gardaí.

“Be wary, always ask for ID, and I would emphasise, that just because somebody knocks on your door, it doesn’t mean you have to answer it. And we would ask people to keep an eye out for their elderly neighbours,” said Sgt Flanagan.