International Rescue Committee UK

Statement: Haiti email scam

26 January 2010

The name of the International Rescue Committee is currently being used in an email scam purporting to seek donations for Haiti.

The email asks for donations to a joint appeal by the IRC with the United Nations World Food Programme. This is a fraudulent email and we do not have such an appeal with the WFP.

The email asks people to make wire transfers to an account and also includes a donation form branded as a third charity, the Human Relief Foundation. It includes text taken from official IRC materials.

Anyone receiving such an email should simply ignore and delete it.

The IRC will never ask you to make direct transfers to our account or for your personal bank details via email. You can make safe and secure donations through our website at www.ircuk.org.

The International Rescue Committee will be reporting the email to relevant authorities. Existing supporters can be reassured that their personal data is safe and that all donations made through our website – including to our Haiti appeal at www.ircuk.org/haitiappeal – will be received by the IRC.

If you have any concerns please email ircuk(at)ircuk.org.