Sudbury hospice target of scammers

Seniors are being hit with a scam in Sudbury, and they might not even know it.

People are going door-to-door asking for donations on behalf of Sudbury's Maison Vale Hospice.

But the hospice says it doesn't canvass people for donations at their homes.

At least twice a week, Executive Director Léo Therrien said he fields calls from people who say they've been asked to donate to the hospice.

"There's three people — two men and a woman," he said. "They seem to be targeting seniors’ homes. They find their way inside their building and go door-to-door asking for money."

Scammers tell story about grandmother

The calls started a month ago, when participants in a fundraising walk for the hospice were looking for sponsorship.

The walk is over, but Therrien said he’s still getting complaints.

Therrien said the trio tells a story about how their grandma died at the end-of-care facility.

"It's upsetting for us because people are taking advantage of the good name of the hospice," he said.

Constable Bert Lapalme with the Sudbury Police said it's difficult to track the scam artists.

"A lot of the victims may not be aware that they've been victimized," Lapalme said. "You may be willing to give money. You may never know whether or not that collection was legitimate."

Police say they are investigating the complaints.

Therrien said he fears these incidents could stop people from donating to the hospice in the future.

"People don't like being caught in a situation like that," he said.