The Child Cancer Foundation said it had received reports that scammers are phoning members of the public throughout New Zealand claiming to be collecting donations.
The caller is reported to have a foreign accent and is calling from a call centre type environment because there are other voices in the background. The foundation does not use foreign call centres.
Foundation acting chief executive Simon Lala said it was disappointing that anyone would take advantage of children in their time of greatest need.
"That anyone could action such a scam for personal financial gain is baffling. Such actions are a sad indictment on some individuals,'' he said.
The police have been notified and advise members of the public to report any suspicious calls on the Scamwatch website.
