Interior Ministry warns over illegal fundraisers

The Interior Ministry cautioned the public on Wednesday that scammers have been carrying out illegal fundraisers mainly on social media, pretending to represent various charity organisations.

“We call on citizens to be careful and to confirm that a relevant permit has been obtained from the Ministry of Interior when they are invited to make a contribution to a fundraiser. The fundraising permit bears the insignia of the Ministry of Interior and indicates the organiser of the fundraiser, the purpose of the fundraiser and must be valid for not more than six months,” the announcement said.

All licensed fundraisers are on a public list that is constantly updated and is posted on the official website of the Ministry of Interior. Only the Pancyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council and the Citizen’s Commissioner do not need a permit for a fundraiser.

As regards collections for money, the safest way to ensure the money reaches the cause for which it is intended is for the money to be deposited directly into a special bank account titled ‘fundraiser for …’ with the name of the cause. Contributing through charity direct is an equally safe way of donating money, it added.

Cash donations on the streets or other places, citizens should ask to see the permit and also ask for a receipt or contribution voucher showing the purpose and number of the fundraiser.

Regarding the collection of items via the internet, citizens must check there is a relevant permit.