Donating unwanted clothing and textiles is an excellent way to support charitable causes and promote recycling. However, it is important to ensure that your donations are being collected by a legitimate organisation. The following guidance can help you identify genuine charitable collections and avoid fraudulent operators.
A few seconds of checking makes sure your donation reaches a genuine, registered cause.
Legitimate charitable collections should display a registered charity number on their collection bags or promotional materials. If you are unsure whether a charity is genuine, you can verify its registration through the Charity Commission website or by contacting the Charity Commission directly.
Exercise caution when collection materials contain generic statements such as “helping families in need” or similar wording without clearly identifying the charity or organisation benefiting from the collection.
Reputable organisations are transparent and readily accessible. Collection materials should provide clear contact information, including a telephone number and, where possible, a website or email address. A lack of contact details may indicate a questionable operation.
The inclusion of a registered company number does not necessarily mean that a collection is being carried out on behalf of a charity. Always look for evidence of charitable registration and the charity's name.
Collection staff should carry valid identification and be able to confirm the charity or organisation they represent. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to request identification before handing over donations.
Do not hand over your donation. Call us and we will confirm straight away whether the collection is ours. 0151 228 5883
