Bogus charity collections:
Article from a weekly local newspaper

Warning over bogus
charity collections

A SPATE of bogus doorstep charity
collections is sweeping the area,
according to County Council trading
standards officers.

The department has reported a
sharp rise in complaints about
collection bags and flyers asking
people to donate clothes, shoes and
household objects to good causes.

However, many of the appeals
have been from non-registered
charities who have been selling the
goods on for profit.

The trading standards service is
urging householders to check the
wording of charity collection litera-
ture carefully to ensure genuine
good causes still benefit from
residents' goodwill.

A spokesman said:
"Always check the flyers for a
registered charity number.
All proper charities are registered
with the Charity Commission which
can be contacted on 08xx xxx xxx
or visit the website at
www.charity-commission.gov.uk