Giving Safely

Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner

Giving Safely

Making your donation count
Charities and voluntary organisations do important work helping those in the greatest need. In turn, they rely on us to give what we can. The money raised is urgently needed. It houses the vulnerable, feeds the hungry, protects the natural world and alleviates the suffering of animals and humans alike. Without our donations many would soon struggle.

The vast majority of collections and appeals are authentic and legitimate, but some are scams. So what can you do to thwart the fraudsters and make sure your donations really do reach the causes that need them? Quite a lot. It’s simpler than you might think to check the authenticity of a collector or charity.

But the most important message of all is still this: please don’t stop giving.

Unfortunately, fraudsters may take advantage of our generosity when giving to charity. They may claim to be raising money for a fake charity or impersonate a well-known charity.

Most fundraising appeals are genuine, so the risk of fraud should not put you off giving to charities. However, you should be vigilant and make sure you are giving safely to legitimate organisations.

The Fundraising Regulator and Charity Commission for England and Wales advise you to pause and check before donating. This includes:

Check the charity name and registration number at uk/checkcharity.

Also check the Fundraising Regulator’s online Directory to see if a charity has committed to good fundraising practice at org.uk/directory

It is not uncommon to be approached in the street by charity collectors carrying buckets or clipboards. They often work in small groups, wear the branded clothing of their cause and are happy to answer your questions

But how can you be confident that you are talking to the real thing?

Cash collections in public places, like doorstep collections, usually need a permit or licence.

Collections on private property (eg. a block of flats) don’t require a licence, but they do need the owner’s permission.

Are the collectors wearing proper identity badges, and do they seem knowledgeable enough about their charity and its work?

If in doubt, ask for more information – a genuine fundraiser should be happy to answer your questions. If the collectors are from a professional fundraising company, they must be able to tell you how much their company is paid and how this was calculated.

Any collection buckets should be sealed and undamaged. Most fundraising materials should feature a charity’s name, registration number and a landline phone number. Check that the collection bucket is sealed and carries the charity’s name. It is illegal to collect in ordinary buckets and open containers.

As before, if you agree to set up a direct debit, give only your bank account number and branch sort-code. That is all that’s needed.

Make any cheques payable only to the charity itself.

Still in doubt? Simply contact the charity direct and ask about other ways to give.

Make sure your charitable donations really count

After making these checks, if you become aware of a charity scam, or are the victim of one, you should report it to:

• Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050) www.actionfraud.police.uk

• Your local police www.police.uk

• Your local authority trading standards department

• The appropriate charity regulator

If the scam affects a legitimate charity, notify the charity itself so that it can inform its supporters and prevent others from falling victim

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Message Sent By
Kimberley Pickett
(Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire, Safer Together Team, Lincolnshire)