Take steps to avoid charity collection scams

Worcestershire County Council's Trading Standards are advising residents to follow some simple steps before giving to charity collections.

The vast majority of charity bags arrive through letter-boxes from legitimate charities, however Trading Standards officers say they receive approximately a report a week from residents in Worcestershire who claim to have been conned by bogus collections.

Officers say by following simple advice, those bogus collectors, which cost genuine charities millions each year across the country, can be stopped.

Advice includes:

Be aware – treat with caution

Anonymous 'bogus' collectors may try to exploit generosity for their own gain. They may also steal donations left for collection for genuine charities. These bogus collections cost charities at least £2million a year nationwide

Be careful – don't be misled

Don't be taken in. Read the small print and know where your donation is going. Check contact details as they may be false. Are they clear? Is the charity specified? As a rule of thumb, if there is no legitimate telephone number, the people who put the leaflet through the door don't want you to call.

Check before you give

If you have any doubts about the leaflets asking for donations, check them out.

• Ring the Charity Commission helpline – 0845 300 0218 – or visit their online register of charities – http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk/ – to see whether the name or number given belongs to a legitimate registered charity.
• Call Consumer Direct for further advice – 08454 04 05 06 – or visit the 'Watch Out!' section of their website – http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/.

Don't stop giving to charities and those in need

Donating clothing and other goods to genuine charities helps to raise vital funds. Taking care when making donations means you can be sure your help goes to those who really need it

Cllr Derek Prodger MBE, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport and Safe Environment, said: "The majority of charity collections are genuine and are a vital source of funding for these important organisations. However there are some collections which are not genuine and residents need to take steps to ensure their donations reach the people who really need them."