WOODFORD GREEN: Residents warned against fake charity workers (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WOODFORD GREEN: Residents warned against fake charity workers

5:15pm Thursday 29th July 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

BOGUS charity workers have been exploiting the good will of residents in the borough by pretending to raise money for vulnerable children.

Andy Connelly, 64, of Lilian Gardens, in Woodford Green, said he been approached on his doorstep by a young Asian girl who claimed to be collecting for the charity Make A Child Smile.

When he politely declined to make a donation, the girl produced a string of key rings and asked him to buy one for £3, but he refused.

Mr Connelly later saw the girl conferring with a woman of Eastern European appearance at the bottom of his road, and with his suspicions raised decided to investigate the charity online.

He said: “I thought at first she was genuine because she had a laminated ID but I looked it up and one it's American and two it says we don't do door to door.

If I'd've known it was a con I'd have called the police. It's not right. The money they're collecting could go to organised crime or someone's back pocket.”

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council said: “If you are suspicious about a collector but would still like to give money then it is advised that you contact the charity directly to make a donation. Most bona fide charities will have a website or be listed in the telephone book or via one of the directory enquiry services available. Never use a number provided by the collector themselves.”