(Immediate release 10 December 2010)

Christmas is traditionally a time for giving, and charities that are busy fundraising for good causes need the public’s support more than ever.

The vast majority of charity collections are genuine, as are the collectors who collect with the agreement of the charity concerned. Inevitably though, some people try and take advantage of the public's generosity. 

As part of a nationwide campaign, The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, is giving advice to generous donors this Christmas to help them make sure their money or goods go only to genuine charities, by making a few simple checks and using information the Charity Commission provides on its website.

Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission says:

“Most charity collections this Christmas are genuine, and charities need your money more than ever. But some people may take advantage of the Christmas spirit for their own ends. Asking straightforward questions, checking simple facts, looking for a registered charity number or checking the Charity Commission's website to see if it is really a charity can make all the difference. Watch out too for online scams and fake websites, and don’t click through to links in emails if you’re worried. We want every penny that you give to go to genuine charities.”

The Charity Commission’s top 10 tips for a charity scam-free Christmas:

1. If you are in any doubt about a charity collector, collection bag or fundraising materials, check the charity’s name and registration number. You can find these on the Charity Commission’s website at www.charitycommission.gov.uk.
2. Always check whether a collector is wearing a proper ID badge.
3. Check that the collecting tin seal is not damaged.
4. Ask the collector for more information - a genuine charity should be happy to answer questions.
5. Check whether a collector has authority to collect. A permit or license is usually needed if raising money in a public place. Collections in private places like train stations and supermarkets need the owner’s or manager’s permission. Collections in pubs need either a license or an exemption.
   
6. If you receive collection bags or fundraising materials from non-charitable organisations claiming to be charitable, and/or using a false registered charity, you should contact the police, your local trading standards office and your local council.
7. If you want to donate online to a particular charity, visit the charity’s website – check that you have the right web address.
8. Be very careful when responding to emails or clicking links within them to ensure that they are genuine. If you have any concerns about a request for donations that appear to come from a charity, don’t hesitate to contact that charity directly.
9. If you are worried that you may have been targeted by a fundraising scam, you should contact the police. Let the Charity Commission know too through their website.
10. If in any doubt, send your donation directly to the charity.

Ends.

PR 80/10

How to find details and contacts for charities in your local area:

Go to www.charitycommission.gov.uk. If you know the name or number of a particular charity you are looking for, type it into the box.

If you want to find a list of local charities;

• click on ‘Search the Register of Charities’
• Select the ‘advance search’ option on the left of the screen
• Select the country you are looking in (i.e. England or Wales), and select ‘specific areas’ to choose which county you want and press ‘search’

The search can provide a maximum of 500 results at a time, so you may need to narrow your search for specific types/sizes of charities.

For further information on this story please contact the press office.

Notes to Editors

1. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. See www.charitycommission.gov.uk for further information or call our contact centre on 0845 300 0218.
2. Our mission is: to ensure charities’ legal compliance, enhance charities’ accountability, encourage charities’ effectiveness and impact and to promote the public interest in charity.
3. 98% of the public feel that the role of the Charity Commission is important. (Ipsos MORI research, May 2008).
4. There are over 4 million visitors a year to the Charity Commission’s website at www.charitycommission.gov.uk.

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