The British Red Cross is warning people to watch out for fraudulent emails claiming to be raising money for the Japan Tsunami Appeal.
Charities including the British Red Cross will never ask people to donate through companies such as Western Union or Money Bookers.
The British Red Cross has highlighted some variations of email scams that emerge whenever there is a disaster:
- they may direct you to a fake website where you are asked for credit card details
- they may offer you a position collecting money on their behalf for a percentage, retaining the money you send or using you to launder money from criminal activities
- they may ask you to donate cash through money transfer companies such as Western Union.
If you receive an unsolicited email alleging to be on behalf of the British Red Cross or collecting for the British Red Cross, do not respond to it, click on any links within it, or provide any personal details.
You can forward any scam emails you received to Action Fraud’s scam mail email address.
If you want to donate to the British Red Cross, go directly to the official British Red Cross website: www.redcross.org.uk
Read more about the Japan Tsunami Appeal fraud on the British Red Cross website.
Please note: Action Fraud is not responsible for the content on external websites.
To report a fraud, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.
See also:
Charity donation fraud
Happy family photo scam
New Zealand earthquake charity scams
