A reminder for charities to stay vigilant, verify unfamiliar approaches and share concerns with trusted peers.
Charities Institute Ireland has recently been made aware of an unsolicited approach to one of our members involving an individual presenting themselves as a fundraising consultant and claiming to represent a foundation.
Questions subsequently arose about the organisation, its online presence and the individuals apparently associated with it.
While not making any determination about a particular individual or organisation, the incident is a timely reminder for charities to exercise caution when approached unexpectedly by consultants, foundations, potential funders or other third parties.
Fraudulent websites, invented professional profiles and impersonation can be increasingly convincing, and a professional-looking website or LinkedIn profile should not, on its own, be taken as evidence that an organisation is genuine.