Fake Britain BBC: Fake charity collection bags

Hezzawithkids

The programme described a case where 000s of fake charity bags were seized at Dover which could have netted the criminals over half a million. Sadly it's confirmed all my suspicions about the sheer quantity of these things that get shoved through my letterbox these days. I find it increasingly hard to differentiate the genuine bags from the commercial enterprises from the fake bags so I use them as bin liners and take all my clothing donations to the local charity shop.

Sad but true.:(

Slinky

The darn things annoy me when it's companies who print in small writing that a set amount/small percentage of their turnover is going to the charity, the rest is a business enterprise. I rarely put anything out for them, prefering to take stuff to a local charity shop.

However, yesterday I actually put out a bag for Age Concern as having read all the stuff on the bag, it appears it was Age Concern getting the whole lot.

They never collected it. So now I've got to lump it to a charity shop anyway.

I'm going to put up one of those No charity bags signs and have done with.

MrsB2100

I have to wholeheartedly agree. Such a shame, but I wont use these bags, after watching a news report some time ago now, reporting that the Surrey Air Ambulance service bags which were being delivered, were actually sent by an Eastern European gang to acquire stuff to sell on in their home countries.

I tend to use these bags as bin liners now (waste not, want not!) and take my stuff to the local thrift shop. At least then I know my stuff is being sold in the manner it was given in. Sadly though, it means that the genuine collections miss out, but I refuse to put money into the hands of criminals.

debtfree2010

My husband has worked for the British heart foundation for 6 years and he bags out once a week, 400 bags, he is lucky to get 30 back in :mad:
I have lost count where he has seen people stealing his bags (full ones people have out out)
Sadly these shops where you can take a bag and get paid a fiver are also encouraging the thieves :mad:

Outrageous how low people will go :mad:

MrsB2100

debtfree2010 wrote: »

My husband has worked for the British heart foundation for 6 years and he bags out once a week, 400 bags, he is lucky to get 30 back in :mad:
I have lost count where he has seen people stealing his bags (full ones people have out out)
Sadly these shops where you can take a bag and get paid a fiver are also encouraging the thieves :mad:

Outrageous how low people will go :mad:

I had no idea that happens. That's absolutely vile.