Elderly told to be on guard for bogus charity collectors

PENSIONERS need to be more savvy about doorstep collection scams, a charity watchdog has warned.

The Charity Commission today publishes guidance for older donors amid warnings that collection bags may not be from genuine charities and that people aged over 65 are vulnerable to being taken advantage of, “leading them to become victims of crime”.

Bogus labels and logos are just some of the tactics deployed by fraudsters. The warning is part of a campaign to ensure older people make checks before donating.

The regulator published guidance alongside new data revealing that older people are among the most generous donors to charity. In the tax year 2017 to 2018, more than 374,000 people over the age of 65 made donations totalling in excess of £1billion. In 2015-16 and 2016-17, a similar number donated £951million and £969million.

But according to the latest crime survey for England and Wales, one in 12 respondents aged 65 or over reported being the victim of fraud in the past year – equivalent to 800,000 people.

Sarah Atkinson, director of policy, planning and communications, said: “The scams take advantage of people’s charitable spirit and can seriously dent their trust in charity.”

Among the guidance is a warning to check that collection bags are from a genuine charity, that street collectors have a proper ID badge, that any collection tin is sealed and undamaged and to ensure fundraising materials are genuine and feature the charity’s name, registered name and a landline contact number. If pensioners suspect a collection or appeal is not genuine, they should report it to the police.

The charity collection market is worth more than £76 billion, making it an attractive target for criminals.

Ms Atkinson said: “Making simple checks before you hand over your money or details is an important way to ensure you are giving with your head as well as your heart.”

In 2017, the regulator found over half of people aged 18 to 24 check on a charity before donating, compared with just under a third of those aged 65 to 74.