Press releases
22 June 2006
Does charity begin at home?
Consumer Direct Yorkshire & the Humber is warning the public to be on their guard against bogus charity collections as the latest scam hits our region.
Consumer Direct, the government’s consumer advice service, has received a number of complaints from residents who have received misleading flyers through their letterboxes appealing for donations of clothing. Householders are then asked to leave their unwanted items in a plastic bag outside their door to be collected at a later date.
The flyers give the impression that the items are being collected to help people in third world and Eastern Europe, but in reality they are often sold on and the profit is kept by the collectors. The leaflets are designed to give the impression that they are from a registered charity and may contain a registration number but these are often a limited company number.
John Field, Consumer Direct Centre Manager said “I would urge people to give direct to a genuine local charity shop rather than lining the pockets of these bogus charity collectors. There are plenty of charities that would welcome any unwanted clothing and household goods you want to dispose of”
Consumer Direct also warns consumers to always look for a registered charity number. If an organisation has a charity number, it is registered with the Charity Commission. If they are legitimately collecting on behalf of a charity, it should name the charity in its literature and state how much of your donation goes to charity.
If you need advice, think you have been targeted by a scam or would like any more information then please call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. Alternatively log on to our website www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.
