MONTREAL — Volunteers and employees at the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Dorval have been working round the clock for their next fundraising event, the 13th annual Walk and Run for Heart.
“We have walkers coming, and we also have teams who are collecting door-to-door to help them raise money,” explained the Foundation’s Nicole Vincent.
The foundation depends on donations, so when they found out a woman on the West Island was pretending to raise money for the charity, it was very upsetting.
“It’s too bad because it hurts the Foundation, which really needs the money.”
“It’s shocking to hear that people will take advantage of situations,” said Vincent.
Photos of a woman in her forties have been making the rounds on community Facebook pages.
Residents are claiming they’ve spotted the woman knocking on doors in different West Island neighbourhoods, including Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Kirkland, Pointe-Claire and Pierrefonds.
Many took to Facebook to share their experiences with the door-to-door solicitor.
One woman wrote: “She has come to me twice. once for UNICEF and then for Alzheimer’s.”
“She came to my house, claiming she was just diagnosed with breast cancer and was collecting for the walk,” another resident explained.
“I asked her why she was collecting after the event?”
Dollard-des-Ormeaux resident Jefferey Trivett fell for one of her stories and ended up giving her $50.
“Her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia, so your heart goes out to people like that.”
Bill Macarthur admitted he fell for the scam as well.
“It looked legitimate enough, she had a paper and said she would send us a receipt. We never got the receipt, but we gave her $20.”
He said he was disappointed that people would stoop so low to make a few bucks.
“It’s a little disheartening.”
“My wife and I do give to charities on a regular basis, and it makes you sceptical about all the other ones you’re donating to.”
Montreal police Sergeant Laurent Gingras told Global News that there are ways Montrealers can stop from getting scammed.
The first tip he shared was to follow your instincts. He suggested to always ask questions about websites and contact information.
The Heart Foundation also mentioned that official documents usually indicate authenticity.
“With the Foundation, you’ll have material with real logos, nothing will be handmade,” explained Vincent.
Even though the woman who is allegedly scamming West Islanders can’t technically be charged for soliciting money, police are advising the public to call 911.
“We could at least see if this person needs help, other than the claims she’s making.”
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