Steve has welcomed The Charity Commission's tips for avoiding bogus charity cheats as residents look to help the less fortunate at this festive time of year.
As part of a nationwide campaign, the Charity Commission is giving advice to generous donors this Christmas to help them make sure their money or goods go only to genuine charities, by making a few simple checks and using information the Charity Commission provides on its website.
The Charity Commission’s top 10 tips for a charity scam-free Christmas:
1. If you are in any doubt about a charity collector, collection bag or fundraising materials, check the charity’s name and registration number.
2. Always check whether a collector is wearing a proper ID badge.
3. Check that the collecting tin seal is not damaged.
4. Ask the collector for more information - a genuine charity should be happy to answer questions.
5. Check whether a collector has authority to collect. A permit or license is usually needed if raising money in a public place. Collections in private places like train stations and supermarkets need the owner’s or manager’s permission. Collections in pubs need either a license or an exemption.
6. If you receive collection bags or fundraising materials from non-charitable organisations claiming to be charitable, and/or using a false registered charity, you should contact the police, your local trading standards office and your local council.
7. If you want to donate online to a particular charity, visit the charity’s website – check that you have the right web address.
8. Be very careful when responding to emails or clicking links within them to ensure that they are genuine. If you have any concerns about a request for donations that appear to come from a charity, don’t hesitate to contact that charity directly.
9. If you are worried that you may have been targeted by a fundraising scam, you should contact the police. Let the Charity Commission know too through their website.
10. If in any doubt, send your donation directly to the charity.
More information...
You can sort the genuine charities from the fraudsters by visiting www.charitycommission.gov.uk