Potential Sponsorship Scam – St John’s Wood area

Potential Sponsorship Scam – St John’s Wood area

We know you flagged that fraud is a concern for you, so this is a quick update to tell you how we’re addressing concerns and supporting residents.

We want to raise awareness about a potential sponsorship scam currently operating around St John’s Wood High Street.
Local officers have received reports of individuals approaching members of the public, asking for financial sponsorship or donations for local events, charities, or sports clubs. We believe these individuals may be using false information to obtain cash or bank details.
Please stay vigilant and consider the following advice to keep yourself safe:
• Check credentials: Always ask for official identification and charity registration numbers. Legitimate fundraisers will gladly show them.
• Never give cash on the spot: Do not feel pressured into giving cash or filling out direct debit forms on the street if you feel uncertain.
• Research first: If you want to support the cause, look them up independently online or ask for a website where you can donate securely later.
• Keep your distance: If an individual becomes aggressive or refuses to leave you alone, walk away into a busy shop and report it immediately.
What to do next:
If you think you have been targeted by this scam, or if you have seen anyone acting suspiciously on the High Street, please report it to us via 101 or online at met.police.uk. If you are in immediate danger or a crime is happening right now, always call 999.
You can also report fraud directly to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
Thank you for your continued support in keeping our community safe.

Stay safe,
Regent's Park SNT Team.

We consider fraud to be a serious crime and will put the time in to tackle it however we can. In the meantime, there are ways to keep yourself safe. 

Fraud comes in many forms and across various different channels, whether that's through emails, phone calls or in person encounters. Please see a few resources below to protect you and others from potential fraudsters:   

• Learn the ten golden rules to prevent fraud.
• Find out about the most common types of fraud.
• Download The Little Book of Big Scams to find out more. The Little Book of Big Scams audio version is also available.

 For more information and help and to report fraud, go to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. 

Lastly, if you think you’ve uncovered a scam, been targeted by a scam or fallen victim to fraudsters, please contact 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at Action Fraud.