Fake monks prey on Victorians

Consumer Affairs Victoria is warning Victorians to be on the lookout for conmen dressed as Buddhist monks collecting cash in exchange for prayer beads, amulets and spiritual guidebooks.

Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria Dr Claire Noone said that a group of shaven headed men in robes were approaching Victorians on the street and asking for charitable donations.

“Fake fundraisers, such as these conmen dressed as Buddhist monks, take advantage of people’s generosity. Donating money to worthy causes is important but Victorians need to make sure that they are dealing with a legitimate fundraiser,” Dr Noone said.

In the 2012-13 financial year, Consumer Affairs Victoria received 46 reports of fundraising scams, however as many scams go unreported the actual number is likely to be higher.”

The Australian Sangha Association, a representative body for monks and nuns of all Buddhist traditions, confirmed that monks were “not allowed to ask for any money as laid down in the monastic rules by the Buddha 2500 years ago.”

Dr Noone said consumers should lookout for the following warning signs to ensure donations are used for their intended purpose.

• A collector makes a face-to-face approach but does not have any identification or has fake identification.
• The collector cannot or will not give you details about the charity, such as its full name, address or phone number.
• The collector becomes defensive when asked what the charity does and how much of the donation gets taken up by costs.
• The collector asks for cash, will not accept a cheque or asks for any cheque to be made out to them rather than to the charity.
• The collector does not want to provide a receipt or the receipt does not have the charity’s details on it.

“If you are in doubt about whether a collector is from the charity they claim to be representing, source contact details independently and donate that way instead,” Dr Noone said.

Legitimate fundraisers whose donations exceed $10,000 are registered by Consumer Affairs Victoria and can be found on the Fundraising public register.

To report a fundraising scam go to www.consumer.vic.gov.au/contac t-us/dob-in-a-scam or call 1300 55 81 81.

For more information on how to avoid scams go to www.consumer.vic.gov.au/scamschoolconsumer