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Watch out for “bogus bags” this Christmas

Bradford East MP David Ward is warning constituents who donate unwanted items through doorstep charity collections to make sure that they are not being conned by "fake" charities.

The call follows reports that bogus charity bag collections up and down the country are now costing UK charities an estimated £50 million a year in lost revenue.

David Ward MP is backing the Bogus Bags campaign, led by the Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB). The campaign aims to help the public give confidently to the charities they care about, offering this simple advice to local residents:

• Check - Legitimate charity collection bags will clearly state what organisation(s) funds are being raised for and feature a registered charity number. Check these details with the Charity Commission www.charitycommission.gov.uk.

• Look for the tick - As with any fundraising appeal, you can look for the FRSB tick logo indicating that the charity is signed up to fundraising regulation and to industry standards. See www.givewithconfidence.org.uk.

• Call - A collector would ensure there is a working landline telephone number on fundraising materials for you to contact them on.

• Report - After making these checks, if you think that a collection is not legitimate, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.org.uk.

Commenting, David Ward said:

"At this time of year, hundreds of people in Bradford generously donate goods through doorstep collections to raise money for charity. Sadly, some of the organisations collecting goods are not all they seem.

"We are aware of some "fake" charities who are collecting goods and giving the false impression that they are being sold for charitable causes. There are also cases of genuine charity bags being stolen from residents' doorsteps.

"Not only is this a crime against local householders, but genuine charities are losing out on millions in lost income each year. I would like to urge local residents to continue donating to charity but to make a few simple checks so that they can give with confidence".

Alistair McLean, Chief Executive of the Fundraising Standards Board (FRSB), adds:

"While charity bag crime is a worry for all, we ask donors to remember that the large majority of collections are legitimate and that charities rely heavily on this income stream."

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