Gardaí issue warning on bogus Galway Hospice collectors

From the Galway City Tribune – Householders have been warned by Gardaí to beware of bogus fundraising ‘con gangs’ operating in the city area over recent weeks.

The door-to-door callers have in cases claimed to be from Galway Hospice with fake T-shirts and sponsorship cards in their possession.

Both the charity and the Gardaí have advised the public that these ‘cold callers’ to houses are members of gangs trying to fraudulently obtain money from people.

According to a Garda spokesperson, residents should be ‘extremely wary’ of any door-to-door callers purporting to be representing a charity.

“Be on your guard at all times if someone calls to your door looking for money and our advice is to report the incident straight away to the Gardaí.

“There’s hardly any charity now operating on a house-call basis – some telecommunications companies use door-to-door sales people, but they will let Gardaí know in advance that they will be in the area,” said the Garda spokesperson.

The bogus charity collectors have been reported to have called to houses across different parts of the city over the past two weeks.

A spokesperson for the hospice said: “Unfortunately, there are people calling door-to-door purporting to be raising funds in aid of Galway Hospice.

“Galway Hospice does not permit or support door-to-door collections at any time. If a person calls to your door that you do not know, collecting for Galway Hospice, please do not donate. Contact your local Garda Station immediately with a description of the person collecting.”