With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, the Anglican Church is warning of the scams of some individuals attempting to deceive unsuspecting members of the public in the name of the Church.

With the season being a time when a large segment of the society are often in the mood to give the causes, some, through deceit, are plotting to rob innocent 'Good Samaritans' of their hard-earned cash.

A release issued by the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands yesterday said, "It has come to the church's attention that persons claiming to be acting on behalf of the St. Michael's Anglican Church, 95 Jackson Street, Kingston, have been soliciting donations for an alleged 'feeding programme and assistance to the elderly'."

A letter soliciting donations for the Anglican Church, the release said, is being used to deceive would-be donors. The letter is signed by a Bishop M. Meeks.

There is, however, no bishop in the Anglican Church serving at this time with that surname.

The Anglican Church has, however, advised that it has no knowledge of such a drive and has given no authorisation to anyone to make such collections.

Report the matter

The church is, therefore, advising any business firm or individual who receives a letter of solicitation purporting to come from the diocese to report the matter to the police and/or the diocesan headquarters at Church House, Caledonia Avenue, Kingston.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, Leon Rose is advising members of the public to be vigilant.

"One of the things people need to do is to ask for proper identification," he said. "A church as well-established as the Anglican Church would have a much more professional and organised way of conducting a donation drive or any such venture. This is one thing that should arouse an individual's suspicion."

He advised that residents who may come across any such individuals should immediately alert the police.