THE British Red Cross has condemned attempts by fraudsters to scam money from the public via fake charity appeal emails.
Emails have been circulated, purporting to be from the British Red Cross, directing people to make donations to a fake account.
The fake email directs people to an account which is totally unrelated to the British Red Cross Japan Appeal.
Mark Astarita, director of fundraising for the British Red Cross, said: “We are aware that there is a scam email in circulation asking people to wire money to an account that claims to support Japan.
“This account has nothing to do with the British Red Cross Japan Appeal. We never ask people to wire money, only to donate via our official website or phone number.
“The British Red Cross condemns this attempted abuse of people’s good will; it beggars belief that anyone would try to profit from human suffering and deliberately take money away from those in need.”
The British Red Cross is investigating the fraud, and has already ensured the fake account has been closed down.
Mark continues: “Unfortunately, fraud of this kind is becoming ever more sophisticated, and we continue to update advice on fraudulent emails on our website. We would urge anyone who wants to donate to the Red Cross to always do so directly via our website, rather than clicking on links, or responding to these kinds of emails.”
Anyone wishing to donate securely to the British Red Cross can do so at www.redcross.org.uk or by calling 0845 53 53 53 – emails giving details other than these are fraudulent.
If you are suspicious of an email you have received, please visit http://www.redcross.org.uk/fraudadvice to help verify if the email is genuine or not.
If you are still suspicious, please contact the British Red Cross supporter care team on 0844 87 100 87.
ENDS
For more information on the British Red Cross please visit: http://www.redcross.org.uk or follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/britishredcross
To contact the press office: Mark South/Penny Sims 020 7877 7042 / 020 7877 7044. Out of hours: 07659 145 095
Notes to editors:
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies.
We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies
in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on
with their lives.
For more information, please visit www.redcross.org.uk
MEDIA RELEASE posted by British Red Cross (Scotland). You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Mark South/Penny Sims
Phone: 020 7877 7042 / 020 7877 7044 Out of hours: 07659 145 095
Email: msouth@redcross.org.uk or psims@redcross.org.uk
Website: http://www.redcross.org.uk
