A CHARITY is issuing a warning after a spate of late night calls from people claiming to be raising funds to help people with autism.

Complaints have been made after several bogus door-to-door ‘fundraisers’, thought to be fraudsters, called in at people’s homes asking for money.

The North East Autism Society, is an independent charity, based in the region, with a head offices in Chester-le-Street, and sites in Sunderland, Durham, Newcastle and Newton Aycliffe.

A spokesman said: “For a number of reasons, the most pressing of which being potentially fraudulent fundraisers misleading people, we believe it is of the utmost importance that we clarify the independent and solely regional nature of our organisation as well as our assurances that we are not the ones disturbing residents with pleas for cash.

“We have no affiliation or association to any similarly named autism organisation or charity. Neither are we the regional branch of any national autism charity.

“At no time in our near 40 years of serving the North-East have we actively raised money through door-to-door collections.

“This is not and never has been part of our fundraising strategy.”

The society has more than 650 staff providing services across the region, has two schools and a college, offering vocational training at a farm in Durham and at workshops in Sunderland.

It also has residential care homes for children, young people and adults, supported living accommodation, as well as short breaks and a family support services.

The spokesman said: “You can be assured that any door-to-door collection or fundraising approach which you receive from any organisation or individual purporting to represent the North-East Autism Society, or choosing to be vague in describing themselves as being from the region’s ‘autism charity’ is not the North East Autism Society.”

Durham Constabulary, which covers two of the areas where complaints to the North East Autism Society were made, is aware of the issue.

A spokesman said: “Fraudsters lie and purport to be genuine organisations and charities and we have received a report. It is important to know that North East Autism Society do not cold doorstep call any homes.”

“It was also brought to our attention that many of these ‘fundraisers’ claimed to be collecting funds for local autism services.

“It would be our advice that if anyone claims to be collecting cash for a local autism project or service then clarification should be sought as to what that is.

“While there are several incredible autism-specific charities and local support groups working throughout the region which are fully deserving of support there are others, including national organisations, which have very little if any direct service provision in the region but which very proactively seek to raise funds through door to door collections.

“We are sad to say that we believe there are some fundraisers and door-to-door collectors who are being deliberately vague as to who they represent and how money raised is spent.

“We strive, as always to provide the very best help and support for children, young people and adults from across the North East who have autism or other learning difficulties. We would like to thank all those people who faithfully give, take part in event fundraising and support our work through personal fundraising.

“You are all amazing and we couldn’t do what we do without you. Please just be safe and extra vigilant when approached for funding, particularly by door to door collectors.”

Durham Constabulary, which covers two of the areas where complaints to the North East Autism Society were made, is aware of the issue.

A spokesman said: “Fraudsters lie and purport to be genuine organisations and charities and we have received a report from North East Autism Society stating that criminals have been calling at homes using their name asking for money.

“It is important to know that North East Autism Society do not cold doorstep call any homes.

“If you receive an unsolicited knock at your front door from ANY organisation, keep the door chain on, allow yourself time, ‘TakeFive’ ( National Campaign to stop fraud), don’t do business without verifying via a trusted means and NOT via a phone number provided by those at the door. If a person(s) will not leave and are pressuring then contact the police.

If you believe you have been approached by someone claiming to be from the North East Autism Society please also call 0191 410 9974.