Bogus door collectors - advice to residents from Clothes Aid charity

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Following  Vale Mail’s article about complaints from residents who are angry at bogus leaflets asking for clothes, shoes, etc to be bagged for picking up to help people in Eastern European countries, a spokesperson from Clothes Aid has written to Vale Mail, offering his advice (below). (Michael L’s full comment is posted at the foot of the original article)

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Advice on door to door collectors  from www.clothesaid.co.ukIn brief, here are our top tips:

* Does the sack or leaflet say the collection is for a registered charity? If so, what’s the registered charity number
– call 0845 300 0218 or visit the online Register of Charities to check that it’s genuine.
* Do they only give a registered company number? This just means that the organisation is registered with Companies House.
* Is the charity actually named? Be wary of wording that just says ‘families in need’ or ‘sick kids at Christmas’ or ‘creates employment’ etc.
* Does the leaflet or bag give a phone number? The absence of a terrestrial telephone number may mean the collectors don’t want to answer questions. Regular charities and their agents will not give a mobile phone number only.

But most importantly, please remember to keep giving charity donations to legitimate charities and their partners. If we stop giving when we receive a charity bag through our door then these people will have not only stolen our donations but will have stolen our charitable spirit.

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