A WARNING is being sent to communities following reports that fraudsters posing as the charity Harrow Foodbank have been making doorstep cash collections.
Harrow Foodbank has clarified it is not doing door-to-door collections and cash should only be donated at an official collection point or taken to their office by prior arrangement at Holy Trinity Church in Headstone Drive, Wealdstone.
The charity wants to stress that the bogus collectors are to be ignored and for people to contact the police.
Harrow Foodbank volunteer Carolyn Rogers said: “Unfortunately we have had a couple of reports of people fraudulently saying they are collecting cash for the foodbank.
“I would remind everyone that we are not carrying out door-to-door collections and we are only collecting at our official points. We are obviously also collecting non-perishable food items and a full list of these can be found on our website.”
The foodbank, which is set up by a cohort of churches and others across the borough and is overseen by the Trussell Trust, organises and advertises numerous food collection points and previous venues have included Harrow Civic Centre, Waitrose supermarket and other community buildings and churches.
All collection points bear official logos and information.
Harrow Council’s Independent Labour leader Thaya Idaikkadar said: “Residents should always be wary of anyone who turns up on their doorstep asking for money and should not give them any cash if they are at all suspicious.
“I would encourage anyone who wants to donate to do so at one of the official collection points.”
If you suspect fraudulent collections are being staged, call the police on the non-emergency number 101. For more information on the charity, visit www.harrow.foodbank.org.uk.
