The Dar tal-Providenza and the Richmond Foundation warned in separate statements that people were supposedly collecting money on their behalf.

The Dar tal-Providenza said it was that that people were collecting money door to door on its behqalf but it never gave permission for collection of money from households and in the past there were people who were prosecuted and found guilty of fraud.

Those wishing to make donations, it said, should either visit the home in Siggiewi, send a cheque, visit its website, or deposit at one of its special accounts in all local banks.

The home appealed to the public to report cases of people knocking on doors collecting money on its behalf either to the police or to the home on 2146 4915, email: info@dartalprovidenza.org .

Richmond Foundation said that the only fundraising going on on its behalf at the moment was by Helping Hands.

Staff of Helping Hands always carried an identification document and a booklet with the foundation’s Logo was given against a donation of €3.

It encouraged the public to immediately report to the police any illegal and fraudulent activity. The foundation said it could be contacted on 21482336 or info@richmond.org.mt

The Foundation said people who wanted to donate could send a cheque, visit its website or its head office in Sta Venera.