Beware charity scams

QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute is warning their donors to be wary of scammers in the Brisbane area.

The Institute has been made aware of a number of reports over the past weeks of bogus collectors asking for money for medical research on behalf of a major Brisbane hospital.

The scammers were going door-to-door in a number of Brisbane suburbs and had falsified badges and marketing materials purporting to represent a major Brisbane hospital foundation.

Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Professor Frank Gannon said it is disappointing when money meant for medical research to improve health outcomes ends up in the hands of con artists.

“Medical research receives strong support from a very generous donor community and it is disturbing to think someone is taking advantage of them,” Professor Gannon said.

“If in any doubt when approached to make a donation, contact the charity organisation directly to verify the representative’s bona fides or organise your donation directly to the charity.”

QIMR Berghofer, based in Brisbane, is a not-for-profit medical research institute recognised worldwide for the quality of its research.

Donations to the Institute can be made in confidence through the website qimrberghofer.edu.au or by calling 1800 993 000.