Door to door collecting protocol.

miss_independent

Hi,

In retrospect, I believe I have been a bit foolish today and I think I have been scammed by a woman who said she was collecting donations for a minibus for children with cancer.

Any charity campaigners please could you tell me, what is your usual method of collecting door to door? Would you go alone? Would you knock on doors in a neighbourhood that has "no cold calling" signs visibly displayed? This woman had an ID card and clip board etc but it was just waved at me. Clearly I have been stupid but any tips for checking in future that things are genuine before parting with money? I didn't want to be rude, but now I wish I had been!

PlutoinCapricorn

Representatives of the big name charities often ask for a direct debit sign up only now: they are not authorised to accept actual donations.

I would never give to a cold caller, but if one comes it is best to ask for the charity registration number and maybe a licence number. However, committed scammers may well just give you details that they have 'borrowed'. You do need to be firm though, and tell them that if there is a sign outside it means what it says. Asking for money for children is the number one technique used by fraudulent collectors as it is good for getting money from 'heart over head' people.

bubblegumcola

Don't companies and charities doing doorstep selling and fundraising have to have some sort of licence from the council to go round the doors? They should have some form of official ID with a photo shouldn't they which should be shown to you before they start their spiel? We often have people round asking us to buy a charity magazine called Candis (?) but I always refuse. I just can't afford to give cash to charities, I give outgrown toys, clothes that are in good nick thats all I can manage.

What I want to know is where can I get a sticker for my door saying no cold-callers?

Savvy_Sue

miss_independent wrote: »

In retrospect, I believe I have been a bit foolish today and I think I have been scammed by a woman who said she was collecting donations for a minibus for children with cancer.

Even though you feel foolish, can I suggest that you phone the police about this? It's possible they have had other complaints; even if they haven't they can keep their eyes open; and they may know who it is but need more evidence.

bubblegumcola wrote: »

What I want to know is where can I get a sticker for my door saying no cold-callers?

See if your police force give them out, or know who does.

Dizzie77

Have a look and see if your local area has a CDRP (Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership) - that's who produces them in this area - but there is no reason why you can't produce your own if you can't find an official one.