EAST Riding Council Trading Standards Services has received complaints about bogus charity collections.
Local charity shops and residents have been concerned about flyers that make bogus offers to collect items for charity.
Legitimate charities that rely on doorstep collections are losing out as a result and say residents who want to donate their go
ods to a worthy cause are being misled.
Householders are being warned that they may receive flyers through their letterboxes, appealing for donations of clothing and other household items so these can be distributed to people in Eastern European or third world countries.
Householders are asked to leave the goods they wish to donate in bags, outside the front door.
The flyers lead those making donations of clothing and other items to believe that they are donating to charity. However, these bogus collection firms appear to operate for the purpose of making a profit for themselves. Some firms even refer to a registration number on their flyer, leading people to think the charity is registered with the Charity Commission but this may simply be a limited company number.
Trading standards services manager, Colin Briggs, said: "Giving donations direct to local charity shops ensures donations are put to good use or residents can use legitimate charity shop collection sacks for doorstep collections.
"These should make the charity registration number clear so it can be checked and it may also carry the Association of Charity Shops’ kitemark.
"Anyone who has doubts about a flyer they receive regarding charity collections, can contact the Charity Commission helpline on 0845 300 0218.
The full article contains 265 words and appears in Pocklington Post newspaper.
