Lewisham Council’s Trading Standards team is investigating an overseas organisation that is misleading residents into believing it’s a charity.
The company is targeting Lewisham homes with fliers and collection bags asking residents to donate clothing, linen and shoes for a Lithuanian Breast Cancer Prevention Programme.
Lewisham Councillors are warning residents that the organisation is not an authorised charity collector and is selling the clothes for commercial gain.
The organisation is just one of 87 known to be operating across the country. Over the last 18 months, there has been an increase in unscrupulous operators with a corresponding increase in the number of investigations underway. Since September, there have been 60 arrests made; 20 in London.
Councillor Susan Wise, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said: “We are concerned that the good nature of Lewisham residents is being exploited.
"The organisation’s materials look just like those used by legitimate charities. They are professionally produced and make references to ‘donations’ so it would be very easy to be taken in by them.
"Anyone who’s in doubt should check the small-print. Charities have to provide their full name, address and charity registration number.”
Councillor Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor of Lewisham, said: “It can be confusing. Some charities use collection agencies such as Clothes Aid because they don’t have facilities of their own.
"Having worked in the charitable sector, I know there are several things residents should look out for. All bags, leaflets and collection vans must be clearly labelled with logos, charity registration numbers and details of how much money will be given to the charity.
"If residents are in any doubt they can check with the Charity Commission. Alternatively, they can take clothes direct to a local charity shop or drop them into one of the many clothes’ banks around the Borough.”
Research by Clothes Aid, in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSHCC), indicates leaflets are often a cover for thieves to be on the streets in order to steal bags of clothing left out for legitimate charities.
Michael Lomotey, Head of Collection Protection for Clothes Aid, said: “It is not unusual for a whole day’s collection to be stolen. The clothing is then transported to Eastern Europe, particularly Lithuania and Ukraine, where it is sold for considerable profit.
"Last year, these thefts were estimated to be worth as much as £300,000 in lost revenue to Great Ormond Street but this figure could reach as much as £2.5 - £3 million across the whole charity sector according to the Association of Charity Shops.
"Most importantly, we don’t want this to stop people from giving. We just ask that they’re more careful about who they give to. If anyone sees these bags being collected in an unmarked van, we urge them to report it to the police or call us and we’ll report it.”
Anyone who has doubts about the status of a collector can call the Charity Commission information line on 0845 300 0218. Anyone with any information relating to bogus charities is urged to contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506.