Two women arrested over IWA collection scam
Spate of reports across region causes worry for charity.
Two women have been arrested in Cavan for pretending to collect money on behalf of the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA).
The latest incident has prompted the national charity to urge the public to be vigilant having received reports of bogus collectors operating in various other areas across the North East and Midlands regions.
The two women arrested were lifted by gardaí outside a local supermarket in Cavan Town last Monday, July 8.
Last week, IWA reported a similar case to An Garda Siochana in nearby Carrickmacross.
Other such reports have come from the likes of Navan, Athlone, Mullingar, Carrick on Shannon, Portlaoise, Roscommon, Drogheda and further south in the country.
Gardaí confirmed on social media that the two women arrested in Cavan “were not affiliated with Irish Wheelchair Association”.
They added, in a post shared to social media: “Please be vigilant with anybody collecting money for charities. Those collecting all require permits and if legitimate will have no issue providing people with identification.”
In response to the recent spike in bogus collecting reports IWA has sent regular alerts to retailers warning them of the potential that their stores could be targeted.
In the case in Cavan, the matter was reported to An Garda Siochana and there store in question were also made aware of the incident.
IWA is also asking the public to be more aware of individuals spotted with clipboards claiming to sell lines on the pretence it is for their charity.
The charity wants also to remind the public that “legitimate collectors” will always have a letter of authorisation from IWA, a garda permit, or a letter of permission from the supermarket where they are stationed.
Additionally, all IWA collectors will be wearing a branded high-vis jacket and will have an IWA-branded bucket for donations.
“If in doubt, individuals are encouraged to ask for proof of identification from collectors. Any concerns or suspicions should be reported to the local Garda station for further investigation,” said a spokesperson, who says for more information, or to report any such “suspicious activity”, contact a local Garda station.