This time of year is one in which charitable giving tends to peak, but regrettably so does the incidence of bogus charity collections. The Charity Commission has issued a checklist of points for those considering making charitable donations…here are their tips:
Safer giving street donation tips
- Check the charity has a charity registration number and verify this on the Charity Commission’s online register.
- Ask to see the collector’s ID badge.
- Check the collector has a licence to fundraise with the local authority or has the consent of the private site owner.
- Check that the charity follows the Fundraising Regulator’s guidance and Code of Fundraising Practice.
- Ensure the collection device is sealed and fundraising materials are in a good condition.
Safer giving online donation tips
- Check the charity has a charity registration number and verify this on the Charity Commission’s online register.
- Be wary of unsolicited emails from charities you’ve never heard of or have no association with.
- Don’t click on links in emails – instead search online for your chosen charity to check you have the right web address and donate directly to them.
- Check there is a padlock symbol in the URL bar and that the web address starts with ‘https’.
Ensure the charity is genuine before divulging any financial information and never share your PIN. If donors suspect that a collection or appeal is not legitimate, they should report it to the police or Action Fraud.