Collectors have been selling Christmas cards door-to-door in south Dublin while fraudulently claiming the money will be paid to a local women's refuge.
The Northern Area Health Board warned yesterday that the cards had no connection with the board or the women's refuge in Rathmines.
"The board, which manages the refuge on behalf of the three health boards in the eastern region, would like to advise people not to purchase these cards and to always ask for identification before purchasing cards purported to be sold for a good cause," a spokesman said.