Public Servant Lifestyle

A new email charity scam has arrived and it's more plausible than many because it uses the names of two established charities.

Making claims to be run in conjunction with both the British Red Cross and Action Against Hunger UK - the scam tells recipients they've won half a million pounds and then requests personal details so it can award their 'prize'. Needless to say, callers are asked for a sizeable amount of cash up front before the 'prize' can be processed. The Charity Commission reports that both the charities named have no connections with the email campaign or the 'scammers' behind it.

David Locke, Head of Charity Services at the Charity Commission says: "We're warning people not to be fooled into thinking that this is a legitimate lottery because of its supposed association with the two charities named in the email - neither charity has anything to do with this scam. Any genuine correspondence from a charity will include a registered charity number and contact details, which can be checked on our website. These sorts of scams are rare, but don't become a victim of those who prey on society's trust in charity."

The Charity Commission's full register of charities can be checked under the section: 'About registered charities' at the organisation's website.

The Charity Commission is the organisation responsible for the statutory regulation of charities in England and Wales. It carries out a wide range of functions, including the registration, monitoring and support of charities and the investigation of alleged wrongdoing.

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