ACCC turning up heat on dodgy practices of some charities

FAKE charities or collectors who hound people to hand over money risk stiff fines in a new government crackdown on dodgy donations.

Australia’s consumer agencies have imposed tough new rules for fundraising – warning they will be fined or prosecuted for misleading or deceptive conduct.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission yesterday revealed some charities were handing an entire year’s donations to thirdparty marketers.

“Charities are big businesses,’’ ACCC deputy chairwoman Delia Rickard said.

“It’s an area we’re actively looking at cracking down on.’’

Ms Rickard said the ACCC was concerned that some charity collectors loiter outside Centrelink offices.

She said some charities were spending large chunks of donations on administration and marketing costs