As it’s International Fraud Awareness Week we’d like to flag up a worrying practice that we’re getting reports of in our district.
Charity collectors are visiting local homes and encouraging residents to sign up to donate using direct debits.
As a council we have powers to regulate charity collections within the district in the form of money boxes in public premises and house-to-house collections. We carry out checks on these charities to ensure they are bona fide.
We do not, however, have any regulatory powers over this direct-debit type of collection. While it is not illegal, if you have concerns you can contact the Charity Commission.
Please remember if you feel vulnerable and its late at night and you are not expecting a visitor then it may be best not to open your door.
