Crackdown on Clothes Collection Con

 

Many people want their donated clothes to go to a charity.  Fareham Borough Council has published this information to help you check if leaflets and bags that come through your letterbox, especially in the run up to Christmas are for a charity or not.

The initiative is supported by the Cabinet Office (this is an external hyperlink), Charity Commission (this is an external hyperlink), Trading Standards Institute, Advertising Standards Authority, Office of Fair Trading (this is an external hyperlink), Association of Chief Police Officers, local authority coordinators of Regulatory Services and the Association of Charity Shops.

While many leaflets distributed to households are from genuine registered charities some which look like they have come from a charity are actually from companies that profit from collections.

It is estimated that charities lose between £2.5 million and £3 million a year through theft and people giving clothing to organisations that they think are charities but are commercial companies collecting for profit.  Although they may be acting legally, their leaflets may be largely indistinguishable from charities, unless people know what information to look for.

A leaflet for householders with tips to help check clothing collection leaflets has been produced.  Additional top tip leaflets can be printed off from all the participating group websites. 

 

Tips for Spotting a Genuine Charity Collection

• Does the sack or leaflet say the collection is for a registered charity?  if so, what's the registered charity number - call 0845 3000 218 or visit the online register of charities at the charity commission (this is an external hyperlink) to check that it is 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'.
• Does the leaflet or bag give a phone number? The absence of a phone number may mean the collectors don't want to answer questions.

Fareham residents can call the Council on 01329 236100, or email at customerservices@fareham.gov.uk to check on leaflets as the council is responsible for issuing permits for house to house collections of goods.