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Forgotten Heroes: Fundraising delight for charity hit by bank fraud
A charity which supports the carers of injured servicemen and women has had some good news after it was targeted by fraudsters.
Bank officials have launched an investigation after more than 500 was taken from the account of Leeds-based The Forgotten Heroes.
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Founder and former Iraq War veteran Adam Douglas spotted that the money was missing from the Lloyds TSB account last Friday and raised the alarm.
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When he queried it with the bank it discovered several direct debits had been set up using the charity's bank details, available on its website for donations, to insurance companies for motor insurance.
It is believed a criminal gang in the Midlands may have used the cover notes as part of a bigger scam to buy cars from dealers using cloned credit cards.
The bank has promised a refund and to inform the police.
The charity's first major fundraiser, a 1940s Blitz Night on October 16 at the Dewsbury Road Social Club, has now sold all 350 tickets
Adam, 43, said: "I can't get over the fact that somebody read what we are trying to achieve as a charity and then still used the details in that way.
"The woman at the bank had never heard of it before. They've agreed to refund the money but I need to talk to the bank as to how these direct debits were set up without the trustees being notified."
Adam set up his organisation to support wives, girlfriends and partners of injured servicemen.
The ex-Royal Dragoon Guardsman from Fearnville, Leeds, was severely injured when he was blown up by a grenade in a firefight in Basra in March, 2003.
After nine months in hospital, his wife Maria nursed him while bringing up their two children and holding down a full-time job.
In order to register his charity to make it eligible for outside grants Adam has to raise 5,000.
He said: "It's fantastic that we've sold all the tickets. Everyone at the club has been brilliant, especially Susan, one of the stewardesses.
"We've also had a substantial donation from Stannah stairlifts so we're very close to our total."
Lloyds TSB is investigating how the transactions were set up, bypassing bank security.
* The Forgotten Heroes are on the lookout for raffle prizes for the Blitz Night. Contact Charley on 07952 231105.
To make a donation go to www.theforgottenheroes.co.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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