Moate and Kilbeggan targeted by bogus charity collectors

Gardaí in Westmeath have issued a warning to the public about bogus charity collectors currently operating in the area.

They are advising members of the public, particularly in Moate and Kilbeggan, to be aware of flyers being dropped into letter boxes looking for clothes to be donated.

“The flyers state the clothes are sold for charity. This is untrue,” Gardaí warned in a post on the ‘Garda Síochána Westmeath’ page yesterday evening (Wednesday).

“There is an Irish mobile number claiming to be the office number and also that the charity is registered with the Irish Charity Regulator. This is also untrue,” they added.

Gardaí say the company in question has no collection permit from the local authority. The clothes it collects are not used for any charitable purposes, meaning people’s generosity and good deeds are being taken advantage of.

Their advice to the public is to “please donate your used clothing to reputable charities.”