Information about recent instances of fraud attempted in our name
Phone fraud
February 2021
We received a report in that a Liverpool resident received a phone call from an individual claiming to be from RNID asking them to meet them outside a local church. RNID does not operate in this way and any requests of this kind should be reported to us as soon as possible.
Street fundraising
May 2023
We received a report that a Holmfirth resident, West Yorkshire, was targeted by 2 people claiming to be fundraising for RNID. RNID is not undertaking any street fundraising and these people are in no way connected or affiliated to RNID. Always check for ID: street collectors must present an ID badge including the details of their licence to collect. Contact us if you have any concerns.
If you believe you have been scammed, or witnessed a scam, contact Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, on 0300 123 2040 or via the Action Fraud website.
February 2022
We received a report that a man in his twenties wearing a purple RNID jacket was knocking on doors in Penarth, Wales asking for money. RNID does not do door to door fundraising, if anyone is concerned they should contact their local Police Station.
November 2020
We received reports that two young women identifying as collecting donations for the Sussex Deaf Association were operating in Storrington, West Sussex. The Sussex Deaf Association no longer exists – it was transferred to RNID in 2018 and these individuals are in no way connected or affiliated to RNID.
July 2020
We received reports that a man identifying himself as a “deaf agent” was collecting donations on the streets of Petersfield, Hampshire. RNID (then known as Action on Hearing Loss) is not undertaking any street fundraising and this man is in no way connected or affiliated to RNID.
Always check for ID: street collectors must present an ID badge including the details of their licence to collect.
If you believe you have been scammed, or witnessed a scam, contact Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, on 0300 123 2040 or via the Action Fraud website.
Email fraud
February 2016
A man named Kevin McCarthy (using various other names as well) contacted people and stated he was working with the government and RNID to help people collect their ‘empowerment bonus allowance’. He was using the email address ‘actiononhearingloss@outlook.com’ and ‘hearinglosshelpline@outlook.com’. This was a scam. Do not give any personal information or money to this man.
Contact us
If you are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus and need free confidential and impartial information and support, contact RNID.
We’re open 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.