Fraudsters are posing as representatives of a prominent charity and stealing donations, the charity warned Friday.

Cheryl Matthews, chapter director of the Children's Wish Foundation, said a trio has been falsely collecting money in the charity's name.

"They are randomly popping into retail businesses or restaurants. Sometimes they have a guitar, sometimes they don't, and they start singing and they're asking you to write down your name and give a donation," she said.

Matthews said the group is using the foundation's name and logo.

"This is apparently printed off of our website. We would never just print things off our own website to give somebody," she said.

Imposters hit Glubes, Smitty's

The imposters were seen at Glubes on Main Street in Dartmouth. A worker told CBC News two women and a man entered the shop, began asking people for money and were told to leave five times.

They left and went to a nearby Smitty's restaurant.

"I was just standing here dealing with a couple of customers and they just walked right through the door," said waitress Laura Loiseau.

"He said, 'I'm going to serenade you,' and started playing the guitar really loud and singing. I didn't even notice the ladies at first, but then I saw a couple of girls asking our customers for money."

The Children's Wish Foundation does accept donations from third-party fundraisers, but only by prior arrangement. Matthews said they never seek donations in the manner of the fraudulent group.

"It is our practice to ask individuals interested in supporting Children's Wish to make a donation online or by mail," she said.

She said police are investigating the incidents.