Title: Scammer Alert for Louth Residents about Fraudulent Charity Workers
Residents in Louth and nearby areas have been urged to be vigilant following reports of fraudsters posing as St Barnabas Hospice charity workers. Claiming to represent the hospice, two young men, seemingly in their 20s and well-dressed, have been attempting to collect direct debit donations by approaching households door-to-door. The reported incidents have largely taken place in the evenings, approximately 20:00 BST.
St Barnabas Hospice, a key service provider across Lincolnshire, has clarified that their authorised canvassers are always identifiable through branded lanyards, photo ID, and they operate solely during daytime hours. Caroline Peach, the Head of Retail for the charity, stressed the importance of confirming the identity of anyone purporting to represent St Barnabas. She reminded the public that official canvasser photos and names can be found on the charity’s website.
This alert follows an unrelated event wherein the St Barnabas Hospice store on Wragby Road in Lincoln was broken into, causing significant damage. Lincolnshire Police, having liaised with the charity and the affected residents, haven’t as yet charged anyone related to the impersonation incidents. They are encouraging anyone approached by the suspected fraudsters to immediately contact the police.
This article was adapted from original reporting by The Lincoln Post, sourced from www.bbc.com.