Residents urged to be wary of bogus collectors

A TRAVELLER group has urged residents in a Northside suburb to be wary of people purporting to be collecting in its name.

Pavee Point said it was aware of bogus collectors operating in Baldoyle last week.

“Pavee Point are grateful when members of the community alert us to the issue, as happened in the Baldoyle area,

? a spokeswoman for the organisation told Northside People.

“Pavee Point do not facilitate collections from the public and we do not authorise anyone to collect in our name.

“We make efforts to alert local residents when we hear about any collections claiming to be for Pavee Point, usually through local newspapers, politicians and parish newsletters or residents’ associations, as well as online through social media.

?

The spokeswoman said it was obviously very upsetting to them that members of the public are scammed in this way.

“We always advise people to ask for identification and not to contribute if identification cannot be presented,

? she added.

“We also advise that rogue collections can break the law and so we encourage members of the public to call the gardaí if they are faced with these situations.

?

Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan has advised residents in Baldoyle and other parts of his constituency to be extremely vigilant about people going door-to-door collecting money and purporting to be part of Pavee Point or any other voluntary organisation or charity.

“This matter is a cause of grave concern,

? said Deputy Broughan.

“I would advise constituents to be aware that rogue collectors may be in operation in their area, particularly in the run up to Christmas.

“It is very unfair that the good work of Pavee Point has been tarnished by this reported spate of rogue collections.

?

Deputy Broughan said he has been informed by Garda Síochána’s National Community Policing Office that it has recently developed a Bogus Caller Card.

The card advises older people how to engage with uninvited callers to their homes.

The aim behind the new card is to empower older people dealing with unwanted or unknown callers to their homes and reduce the need for them to have to speak to these callers.

Residents are urged to contact their local community Garda if they wish to be provided with a card.