BBC Secret Filming Exposes Fake Clothing Collections

Bogus charity clothing collectors  in Kent have been falsely claiming to collect money for Breakthrough, the UK’s largest breast cancer charity.

In footage filmed by the BBC, one of the workers for company admits all the clothes are sent to Lithuania. As well as, the footage showing other charity bags being collected, including the British Heart Foundation.

Breakthrough

After seeing the footage, Phil Wilson, from Breakthrough, said: “People are thinking they’re giving money, or clothes that are going to be turned into money, on behalf of Breakthrough, and it’s not, so it’s theft.

The fact that people are stealing directly from a charity is disgusting.”

The leaflets posted through residents doors, include the pink ribbon logo and Breakthrough’s registered charity number.  This scam isn’t confined to Kent, as these leaflets are being delivered nationwide.

Chris Askew, Director of Fundraising at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, says ” We are saddened that the suggestion of a charity donation is playing a part in this scam.”

“We would encourage people who want to donate unwanted clothing and household items to take them directly to a charity shop, as this will ensure that the full value of the donations will go to a legitimate cause. There are a number of ways that people can support our life-saving work towards a future free from the fear of breast cancer.”

Commercial charity clothing collectors operate under a council licence and make donations of around £50-100 per tonne of clothing collected. With a tonne of second-hand clothes worth around £700.

ClothesAid, which collects clothing across the UK for charities and complies with the Charity Commission regulations, claims fraudsters like these could be depriving genuine charities of up to £14m per year.

The information collected by the BBC has been passed on the police and trading standards; if you receive one of these leaflets contact  Consumer Direct.

For more information:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-11021765

http://breakthrough.org.uk/media_centre/news_views/fraudulent_clothing.html

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/