Beware of fake appeals for Notre-Dame
The Local France/AFP - [email protected]
Published: 18 Apr, 2019 CET.
Updated: Thu 18 Apr 2019 08:41 CET
Fraudsters are taking advantage of the Notre-Dame fire to fool donors into handing over cash believing they are helping to rebuild the gutted Paris cathedral, officials have warned.
The French Heritage Foundation, which has so far collected more than 13 million euros ($14.5 million) from individual donors to help restore the gothic landmark, said any phone or email appeals were fake.
"A number of scams have been flagged to us both in France and abroad," the foundation said Wednesday, insisting it issues no appeals by phone, mail or email for donations. "All of these initiatives are fraudulent."
The foundation is accepting donations through its website (don.fondation-patrimoine.org), its Facebook page, PayPal, a Paris metro station and by SMS for those in France.
French heritage group La Fondation de patrimonie has also set up a fund inviting people to donate to the rebuilding fund. You can donate by CLICKING HERE.
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Photo: AFP
Notre-Dame cathedral also has its own webpage where people can donate, although it seemed to be struggling under the weight of visitors on Tuesday morning.
In the meantime the French Heritage Society has set up its own fund. The Paris-based charity is dedicated to promoting French heritage, both in France and the US.
Chairwoman Elizabeth Stribling, previously said: "I fight back tears as I write this. Notre Dame is more than a religious symbol, it speaks of human achievements and great art.
"Although it's located in France, it is part of great world art that informs our culture and heritage. We must all spring to action."
Full details of the fund can be found here, donations are tax deductible and eligible for tax deductions under French law.
Photo: AFP
Washington DC's main catholic church the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has also launched a fund in solidarity with Notre-Dame.
Their page invites prayers in solidarity or donations to the rebuilding of the iconic cathedral; which was engulfed in flames on Monday evening.
Culture Minister Franck Riester on Tuesday warned people to be vigilant of websites claiming to support the reconstruction of Notre-Dame, which suffered heavy damage in Monday's blaze.
French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild the monument by 2024, when France hosts the summer Olympics.
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The French Heritage Foundation, which has so far collected more than 13 million euros ($14.5 million) from individual donors to help restore the gothic landmark, said any phone or email appeals were fake.
"A number of scams have been flagged to us both in France and abroad," the foundation said Wednesday, insisting it issues no appeals by phone, mail or email for donations. "All of these initiatives are fraudulent."
The foundation is accepting donations through its website (don.fondation-patrimoine.org), its Facebook page, PayPal, a Paris metro station and by SMS for those in France.
French heritage group La Fondation de patrimonie has also set up a fund inviting people to donate to the rebuilding fund. You can donate by CLICKING HERE.
READ ALSO:
Photo: AFP
Notre-Dame cathedral also has its own webpage where people can donate, although it seemed to be struggling under the weight of visitors on Tuesday morning.
In the meantime the French Heritage Society has set up its own fund. The Paris-based charity is dedicated to promoting French heritage, both in France and the US.
Chairwoman Elizabeth Stribling, previously said: "I fight back tears as I write this. Notre Dame is more than a religious symbol, it speaks of human achievements and great art.
"Although it's located in France, it is part of great world art that informs our culture and heritage. We must all spring to action."
Full details of the fund can be found here, donations are tax deductible and eligible for tax deductions under French law.
Photo: AFP
Washington DC's main catholic church the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception has also launched a fund in solidarity with Notre-Dame.
Their page invites prayers in solidarity or donations to the rebuilding of the iconic cathedral; which was engulfed in flames on Monday evening.
Culture Minister Franck Riester on Tuesday warned people to be vigilant of websites claiming to support the reconstruction of Notre-Dame, which suffered heavy damage in Monday's blaze.
French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild the monument by 2024, when France hosts the summer Olympics.
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