The Registrar General has warned those fundraising for charitable causes that they must be properly licensed.

Under the law, it is illegal to solicit money for charitable causes unless you are a charity, acting on behalf of a charity or have a temporary fundraising license.

In a statement Audrey Pennyman, the Registrar General, said: “In Bermuda our residents are very supportive of charitable causes. However, the public should be aware that our office frequently receives requests from prospective donors, businesses, banks and event venues to confirm if an organisation is a registered charity.

“The Charities Act 2014 states that it is an offence for a person, other than a registered charity or person acting on behalf of such charity, to solicit members of the public for or receive from any member of the public in any public place, a donation for any charitable purpose or for any professed purpose which is otherwise benevolent.”

Mr Pennyman said that there is an exception for those who have been issued a temporary license by the Registrar General, and that those who do not wish to obtain such a licence can enlist a registered charity to engage in fundraising on their behalf.

Online sites for fundraising for a charitable or benevolent purposes in Bermuda may also require a temporary fundraising license or charitable status.

“We wish to remind the public that if the need arises we encourage organisations or individuals to apply for a temporary fundraising license,” Mr Pennyman said. “We have forms available at our office, which should be returned with supporting documentation and clearly stating the purpose for which funds will be raised.

“Once granted, the licenses are valid for a period of three months, which can be extended upon request for an additional three months. A revenue and expenses report must be submitted to the Registrar in relation to the fundraising activities within two months after the expiration of the license.”

For more information contact the Registry General at 297-7739 or visit their office in Government Administration Building on Parliament Street.