Annette Brooke MP warns against Christmas clothing collection con

2.49.45pm GMT Tue 4th Dec 2007

Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, this week joins the new consumer awareness drive across England and Wales to help people check whether a clothing collection is for charity or not. The aim is to ensure that people who want their donated clothes to go to a charity know what information to look out for on leaflets and bags that come through their letter box in the run-up to Christmas.

While the vast majority of leaflets distributed to households are from genuine registered charities, many are from wholly commercial companies who do not pass any profits on to charities. The awareness drive is being led by a group of bodies including the Charity Commission, Cabinet Office, Trading Standards, local authorities and the Association of Charity Shops.

The Association of Charity Shops estimates that charities lose between £2.5 million and £3 million a year through theft and people giving clothing to commercial organisations they mistakenly think are charities.

Half a million leaflets are being delivered to householders in areas across England and Wales where there has been particular confusion with clothing collections that look charitable but are not. The leaflets give top tips for spotting a genuine charity collection:

? Does the sack or leaflet say the collection is for a registered charity? If so, what's the registered charity number - call 0845 3000 218 or visit the online register of charities at www.charitycommission.gov.uk to check that it's genuine.

? Do they only give a registered company number? This just means that the organisation is registered with Companies House.

? Is the charity actually named? Be wary of wording that just says 'families in need' or 'sick kids at Christmas'

? Does the leaflet or bag give a phone number? The absence of a phone number may mean the collectors don't want to answer questions.

Annette Brooke MP said: "I want to help people in Mid Dorset and North Poole make sure their generosity goes to a genuine charity. In previous years I have been contacted by constituents about such collections. I'd urge everyone to check on the Charity Commission's website at www.charity-commission.gov.uk, or call them on 0845 3000 218, if they have any doubts."