The Charity Commission has issued a warning to charities and trustees about fraudulent messages that have been circulating, attempting to deceive organisations into taking inappropriate actions.
Details of the Scam
These fraudulent messages typically request urgent action, such as:
- Removing a trustee or chief executive from their position.
- Releasing funds under the guise of a grant.
- Providing sensitive documents like passports or utility bills.
Scammers may sign off these messages as coming from ‘the Commission,’ the Chief Executive Officer, or its Directors, making them appear legitimate.
How to Spot Fraudulent Communications
It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether a message is genuine. However, the Charity Commission has outlined key indicators to help charities identify fraudulent correspondence:
The Charity Commission will only send a letter by post if they do not have an up-to-date email address on file. They rarely use generic salutations such as ‘To whom it may concern.’
They do not issue letters or emails certifying UK charities regarding tax exemption or other matters. They do not request authentication of accounts online by asking for personal identity documents. They will never ask for banking information.
Action Taken and Further Guidance
The Charity Commission has reported these fraudulent activities to Action Fraud and is actively monitoring the situation to protect charities from potential harm.
For more information and official updates, visit the Charity Commission’s website: Charity Regulator Warning.
If you receive any suspicious correspondence, do not respond or provide any information. Instead, report it immediately to Action Fraud and the Charity Commission.