Stepping Stone Hospice is warning the public about fraudulent individuals who are deceitfully using the organisation’s name to solicit donations under false pretences.

These scammers have been approaching members of the public through various means, including emails, telephone calls, and in-person visits, falsely claiming to be raising funds on behalf of the NPO.

“We have become aware of incidents where scammers are exploiting our good name to deceive generous donors. This fraudulent activity not only violates the trust of our community but also affects us adversely in securing the much-needed donations that are essential for our entity to continue providing care to our patients,” said Tersia Burger, CEO and founder of Stepping Stone Hospice.

Stepping Stone Palliative Care Services has strict protocols in place for legitimate fundraising efforts.

“All hard copy letters from our organisation will be hand-signed by authorised staff members. Electronic emails will only be sent out by Stepping Stone Hospice staff and will include our official signatures. We urge the public to be vigilant and verify the authenticity of any fundraising requests,” she said.

The Hospice is advising businesses and individuals who are approached by anyone claiming to represent Stepping Stone to take the following precautions:

• Request proper identification and official documentation

• Verify the legitimacy of the request before making any donations

Contact Tersia Burger directly on 083 251 9605 or via email at [email protected] to confirm whether the person is an authorised representative.

“We want to ensure that every rand donated reaches those who need it most – our young and old patients and their families. By taking a moment to verify, you can help us combat these fraudsters and ensure your generosity makes a real difference,” Tersia said.

Stepping Stone remains committed to transparency and accountability in all its operations and appreciates the continued support of the community in delivering compassionate care to those in need.

If you suspect a scammer has approached you, please report the incident to Stepping Stone Hospice immediately.