New drive to stop bogus charity collectors

A new drive to stop bogus charity collectors costing charities millions, was launched today by charities minister Angela Smith.

The Association of Charity Shops estimates that charities lose between £2.5 million and £3 million a year through theft and people mistakenly giving clothing to commercial companies in the belief they are charities.

The 'Give with Care' campaign, aims at helping households across the country ensure their charity donations are going to genuine causes.

'Give with Care' aims to help the generous people who want to give to charity understand what to look for in leaflets and bags that come through their letter box. It will help them to establish if a clothing collection is for charity or not.

While clothing companies may be acting legally, their leaflets may be largely indistinguishable from charities, unless people know what to look for.

The campaign includes top 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 www.charitycommission.gov.uk to check that it's genuine.

Does it only give a registered company number? Check that a registered charity is also involved with the collection.

Is the charity actually named? Be wary of wording that just says 'families in need' or 'sick kids' as this could be an indication that it is not a genuine charity.

Does the leaflet or bag give a phone number? If not, it may mean the collectors don't want to answer questions.

The 'Give with Care' campaign includes thousands of leaflets being distributed to householders across the country with the top tips to help check clothing collection leaflets.

Posters will be also displayed in charity shop windows to raise awareness amongst shoppers.

Angela Smith, charities' minister, said: "Charities are losing substantial sums of money to anonymous 'bogus' collectors who mislead donors into thinking they are charities. I want the public to be confident that their donation is going to a genuine charitable cause. This is why we have launched the 'Give with Care' campaign with four tops tips to help establish if a clothing collection is for charity or not."