Rags to Riches

F19 - Rags to Riches

‘Helping us to help others’ provide people in third-world countries with clothes’ – sound familiar? UK letterboxes are flooded with leaflets such as this every week. You might think that they are from charities, but the chances are many are not, and several collectors are involved in criminal activity.

For legitimate charities that make doorstep collections these companies are a worsening headache. In the past the leaflets used false charity numbers but now they have become more sophisticated, stating that they are commercial collection companies.

Commercial collection is not illegal – businesses can collect and sell affordable clothing to developing countries. But they do not represent charities and frequently the companies dissolve and reappear under different names – so it is difficult to monitor whether their activities are lawful.

In addition, often gangs in unmarked vans steal bags from doorsteps before the real collectors arrive.

Ensure bags reach the right people

Check whether the collection is for a UK registered charity. Confirm its registration number at www.charitycommission.gov.uk/registeredcharities

Charities need a licence to collect. Check with either your council or police service in England and Wales, and the police in Northern Ireland. In Scotland contact the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator at www.oscr.uk or call 01382 220446.

For further collection information you could try the Association of Charity Shops on www.charityshops.org.uk or by calling 020 7255 4470.

If a leaflet does not look or seem right, it probably isn’t – check for addresses and landline numbers. Commercial collection companies do not require licences but company names can be checked at www.companies-house.gov.uk

Not all legitimate collection companies have marked vans. If you are suspicious, note the registration number and contact the local police or Consumer Direct at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk

As for ID and be wary of any that looks photocopied or home made – compare details with the organisation’s leaflet. Genuine fundraisers should be happy to answer questions and won’t mind being checked out.

Alternatively, make an appointment for a collection or deliver direct to charity shops during opening hours.

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This web-site was last updated on 17/01/2012

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