Birmingham warns citizens of unscrupulous people pretending to collect for charity
Birmingham City Council has warned generous local residents to be on their guard against ‘bogus’ charity collectors.
After a recent spate of door-to-door collectors claiming to be working for a charity but actually selling on goods they collect for individual profit.
Councillor, David Osborne, Chair of the Licensing Committee, said, “Our aim is to alert people to the practices of some un-scrupulous individuals and companies who seek to exploit the generosity and goodwill of the people of Birmingham. As a City we are known for our generosity to charitable organisations, and many genuine charities rely on doorstep collections for a large proportion of their shop sales.
“This may appear to be a minor crime, but the real victims are the vulnerable individuals and children who receive help and support from genuine charities”.
Some of the leaflets being delivered to homes across the City give the misleading impression that items are being collected for charitable purposes. In reality, the collections may be organised by commercial operators who sell the donated items for profit.
One common practice which can lead to confusion is when collectors quote their company registration number, or in extreme cases a meaningless reference number, prominently on marketing leaflets, which members of the public may confuse with a Charity Registration number.
Residents receiving collection leaflets or bags through their door are urged to check the small-print to ascertain whether they are giving to a bona fide charity. If in any doubt they should either contact the local authority, who issue permits to legitimate charitable collectors – or make donations directly to a local charity shop.
In accordance with the House To House Collections Act (1939), organisations and charities must obtain a House to House Collection Permit before organising a collection of goods for a charitable purpose. Some larger charities may have Home Office exemption, but they are still obliged to inform the relevant local authority when a collection is taking place.
To check whether a charitable collection being promoted in your area is lawful you can contact the Licensing Section of Birmingham City Council on 0121 303 9896.
Topics: Birmingham, bogus charity, charitable purpose, charity, charity fraud, government
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