Fake charity collectors

It's also worth noting that if charity collectors are allowed to collect INSIDE a supermarket or other store, they should NOT call out to customers, but only sit & wait for people to approach them. I found this out a few years ago, when I complained about a collector. The supermarket concerned took a very dim view of his behaviour - they are very careful & strict about this.

Aslemma I had the same experience with theat same organisation ?

I give to the Salvation Army at this time of year - I think they do wonderful work.

Oh yes, I had forgotten that.

Does anyone remember the hoohah back in the 90s when it was discovered the the National Association of Guide for Blind had £160 million in financial reserves
They knew perfectly well that blindness is such an emotive subject that nobody would refuse that tin pushed under your nose.

ps It wasn't Children in Need, it was Save the Children so I am not sure about their salaries and reserves.

I frequently contribute through street collectors if I am confident they are genuine, and also respond to appeals direct from my bank. I do not, however, set up direct debits to pay a set sum monthly after having a very irritating experience. I had set up a direct payment with an extremely well known charity R ** * and get a phone call asking for more money in view of the situation, which I said I couldn't do as I was a pensioner and could not afford it. He simply talked over me, asking if I didn't care etc. Not only did I not give more I promptly stopped my regular direct debit and contacted the charity ro tell them why. I received a very apologetic phone call from the charity but the damage had been done. Now if I give I never give my phone number or e-mail address. I don't mind getting letters as I can put them straight into the bin if I want to.

Well done Oldwoman
It really is despicable that these people tug on people's heartstrings to steal. I have seen people collecting for 'Children's Cancer' and it does not seem to be genuine but I could be wrong.

I also refuse to give to Children Need these days, having become aware that they have £90 million in reserves. When I donate I expect it to be used to help, not to go to hedge funds. Charities are big business these days.
I was stopped in the street and asked to sign up to this to help Syrian child refugees overseas. When I said that I already supported a very small charity doing just that, the young man said I was doing wrong, that he'd never heard of it and that it sounded dubious. I know full well it is not and I would rather do that than contribute to vast salaries, perks and travel for chief executives - and thank you for the tip about their vast reserves Telly.

I would echo the replies that you did a good thing intervening in this instance, and probably saved an elderly lady from being even more upset and possibly robbed. Personally I cannot afford to support many of the charities that I know do good work so have just a select few that I donate to when I can. I have tried politely refusing aggressive street collectors but there are some that require rudeness to get them to back off - and they should all be reported. Genuine charities will always operate legally and ethically so I would advise caution if approached in the street/outside shops etc

Good for you oldwoman, it must have been very distressing for the lady. We have to be very careful now, don't we?

I stick to paying my preferred charities by monthly direct debit. We are swamped by requests for help. Some charities like the RSPCA, I would never give money to (too many lavish offices and premium cars at the top, too little good work on the ground), many more I would love to help, but we can’t help everyone. I have two charities that I contribute to. I wish I could manage another two. In any event, I think it safest to give money direct when there is time to consider, rather than on the spur of the moment.

I don't give to street collectors or at the door - I only give online through Paypal or direct from bank account. If searching for a charity I have not given to before I try and find at least 2 different links to the website.

Good idea oldwoman70 must remember that

Before I retired I ran the Midlands regional area for a well known broadcasting charity. Then, to be able to do street collections on our behalf, supporters had to obtain a licence from the local authority and be able to produce it if challenged. If this still applies and you are suspicious, ask to see their licence. If genuine it should be readily available.

Thank you, oldwoman70 - and well done for intervening.

Very well done for intervening. Another thing that annoys me is people shaking the tin at you - I've collected for a dogs charity and I know this is not allowed.

A few years back I was in my local M&S and there were two young men trying to sell the store's own electricity/gas supplies (well not its own but you know what I mean). One of them was impeding the exit of customers from the store and actually stood in front of a lady in a wheelchair and her husband. When I got home I rang the head office and reported it. I don't care about being a nosy old bag sometimes!

I work voluntarily helping to train new police officers. One of the scenarios we use is a bogus charity collection. Well done for stepping in and contacting the police

Well done for stepping in. I rarely give to street collectors unless it's one that I personally support and never to anyone who accosts. I think this is outrageous, it should be possible to walk down a high street without being bullied out of your money. I support various charities but by direct debit. I also refuse to give to Children Need these days, having become aware that they have £90 million in reserves. When I donate I expect it to be used to help, not to go to hedge funds. Charities are big business these days.

In our local paper yesterday an elderly lady had a "considerable" amount of cash and paperwork stolen while in the queue at M&S this week. They have CCTV of the 2 young women behind her who they believe were involved but it says the lady has been left distressed. Please be aware even when inside a well known store there are individuals that could be less honest.

Thanks for the advice oldwoman70

After a bad experience from a doorstep collected who turned out to be bogus the only charity I give to in the street is the poppy appeal. Otherwise I give directly from my bank account each month.
What a shame that we can no longer trust people!

We had a spate of people outside various supermarkets with slightly suspicious grubby looking tins with not exactly clear labels, collecting for 'Children's Cancer'. I saw one of the supermarket staff challenge a man and he hurried away. Despicable.
Good for you stepping in - she might even have snatched that poor lady's purse if you hadn't.

I did contact the charity and spoke to the local police - hopefully she will not be trying this again. I just wanted to warn GNs to be careful who they give their money to.

Really need to report to the police and the charity concerned

Agree with stansgran the public should be aware.
It’s easy to take somebody at their word at this busy time of year, and to think of charitable giving.Well done for stepping in though oldwoman70