NCSS warns of scam invitation letter using its logo to raise funds while promising rebates
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The statutory board warned of the scam invitation letter in a Facebook post on Sept 2.
PHOTO: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES/FACEBOOK
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SINGAPORE - Scammers have been using the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) logo in a fake invitation letter to supposedly raise funds for NCSS, the umbrella body for social service agencies in Singapore.
NCSS said in a Facebook post on Sept 2 that the statutory board, which is under the Ministry of Social and Family Development, had been alerted to an invitation letter claiming that people can donate funds to its “privacy programme or scheme, while earning rebates”.
The matter has been reported to the police, the organisation said, adding that the case is under investigation.
NCSS in its post also warned the public to always verify the legitimacy of any fund-raising initiative.
A photo that accompanied NCSS’ Facebook post shows a scam letter that bears its logo. The letter claims that the sender is “committed to supporting and uplifting individuals and communities in need”.
“Your arrival strengthens our shared mission, and we are confident that your contributions will bring renewed purpose and vitality to our efforts”, the letter says.
It then urges the letter’s recipients to “transform compassion into meaningful action – extending warmth, dignity, and hope to those we serve”.
The letter continues by saying: “From this day onward, we move forward as one – guided by empathy, perseverance, and a shared commitment to making a difference, one act of kindness at a time.”
It then thanks the recipient for “joining us on this meaningful journey”. The invitation letter furnishes two details – an invitation code and an expiration date.
Two signatures are appended at the end of the letter. It says that the letter was brought to the recipient by NCSS and in support of “Together, Because SG Cares”.
The agency’s scam advisory published on June 4 said that transactions with NCSS and its entities – the Community Chest and the Social Service Institute – are conducted via Giving.sg’s donation site, Community Chest’s website or Social Service Institute’s website.
Community Chest is the fund-raising and engagement arm of NCSS, and Social Service Institute is the organisation’s human capital development arm.
NCSS will never ask the public to transfer money, provide credit card information, or disclose bank account details or one-time passwords via SMS, messaging apps or phone call, the advisory added.
