Charity warns after Laois 'bogus collectors' in Portlaoise area

Charity says official collectors must have official identification, vest and bucket as pictured.

placeholder image — Charity says official collectors must have official identification, vest and bucket as pictured.

Irish Wheelchair Association reports incidents in Portlaoise area to Gardaí

The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) has urged the people of Laois to be vigilant for bogus collectors claiming to be looking for donations on their behalf in Portlaoise and other parts of Ireland.

The charity says individuals, who have been spotted with clipboards and selling lines, are not affiliated with IWA and are not legitimate collectors.

It says the collectors have been recorded in Portlaoise and a host of other towns including Naas, Kilkenny, Athlone, Navan, Arklow, Bunclody, Gorey, Waterford, Mullingar, Tuam, Carrick on Shannon, Roscrea, Roscommon, Drogheda, Athy, Ennis and Carrickmacross.

"We continue to report these to Garda Síochána and urge the public to be vigilant," said a statement from the charity.

IWA reminds 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. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The charity insists that all IWA collectors wear branded high-vis jackets 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.

For more information or to report any suspicious activity, the IWA advises people to contact your local garda station.