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Beware of Bogus Charity Clothing Collections

As people have a spring clear out of their cupboards the Borough of Poole's Environmental & Consumer Protection Services team is warning the public to be wary of bogus charity clothing collections.

Typically, householders receive flyers through their letterboxes appealing for donations of unwanted clothes, footwear and sometimes other household items for distribution to poor individuals and families in Eastern European or third world countries.

Whilst the flyers indicate the items are being collected for charitable purposes the reality is that some collections are being organised by commercial operators who sell the donated items for profit and who hide a reference to being a limited company in the small print.

If an organisation is collecting on behalf of a charity the name of the charity together with their registered charity number should be on the flyer and/or the collecting bag, therefore residents are being advised to check closely for these details when making a donation. 

Councillor Don Collier, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment said: "It is a shame that some underhand organisations seek to exploit people's good intentions and deprive genuine charities of the support they need. We urge people to carefully check those charity collection bags and flyers that arrive through the door. If in doubt it is worth remembering that unwanted clothes or other items can be given direct to your local charity shop or recycled at clothing banks throughout the Borough".

If a householder has any doubts about a collection they should contact the Council's Environmental & Consumer Protection Services (tel 261700) to see if the collection has been licensed.

Andy Crossen-White, Environmental & Consumer Protection Services, Borough of Poole 01202 261732