St John: Look out for bogus donation collectors

St John Ambulance says people have been fraudulently collecting donations for Christchurch earthquake victims on the organisation's behalf.

A St John spokesperson said the organisation had received several reports of bogus collectors, who may be operating nationwide.

In Christchurch, Parklands area residents reported a young man wearing jeans and a T-shirt with a "St John sticker", going door to door collecting money, the spokesperson said.

Last night in Hamilton, a woman wearing no uniform or badge had also been collecting door to door.

St John was not conducting any street or door-to-door appeals, and anyone posing as a collector should be immediately reported to the police, the spokesperson said.

St John ambulance officers and volunteers were helping to support hundreds of homeless and displaced people at welfare centres in Christchurch.

Anyone wishing to donate to St John could do so at www.donatechristchurch.co.nz.

- NZPA