Charity Commission Mobile Website Safeguards Public Against Fraud

For those filled with Christmas spirit wanting to donate safely to charities this year, the Charity Commission has launched a version of its website which is available to access via mobile phones today. This gives you the opportunity to verify a charity’s details and donate wherever you are. [16 December 2011]

Christmas is an active time for fundraising and the majority of charity collections are genuine. However, opportunists and fraudsters may attempt to take advantage of seasonal generosity. The mobile site holds the register of more than 180,000 charities. Members of the public can be confident that the money they donate will reach its intended destination.

The Charity Commission regulates charitable organisations in England and Wales. Its Chair, Dame Suzi Leather explains, “Many charities appeal for funds over the festive period and they currently need the public’s donations more than ever. But give smartly; make sure your money is going to a genuine registered charity. The Charity Commission’s new mobile site will help you to quickly check that the charity asking for your money is a proper registered charity. The site also provides useful information about individual charities so you can see what a charity will do with your money.”

All the Information you Need in One Place

As well as confirming that an organisation is a registered charity, the new site provides details of what individual charities do and where they operate. It also lists contact details for registered charities. If you’re in any doubt whether a collection is genuine you can contact the charity directly to confirm before making a donation.

The site is also useful for charity trustees, providing helpful summaries of the Charity Commission’s guidance on issues including fundraising and trading.

Dame Suzi Leather adds, “In addition to double-checking details of street charity collections, I would also encourage people making donations to watch out for email scams and fake websites. If you are suspicious of any appeals for donations, always check the charity registration number on the Charity Commission site or contact the charity directly.”

Help for Heroes co-founder and CEO, Bryn Parry has commented positively on the Charity Commission going mobile, “This is a fantastic initiative that will certainly reassure supporters that their hard-earned money is going exactly where it should. During the Christmas period it is so important to remember those that are going through a tough time, and anything that makes charitable giving a safer, more straightforward process is welcomed by Help for Heroes.”

How to Give Smarter This Christmas

It helps all genuine charities when members of the public are able to determine whether a charity is reputable. The Charity Commission advises that the public remains aware:

• if in any doubt about a charity collector, collection bag or fundraising materials, check the charity’s name and registration number. You can find these on the Charity Commission’s website or on the mobile version of the site which makes it really easy to check this on your phone when you’re on the move.
• always check whether a collector is wearing a proper ID badge.
• check that the collecting tin seal is not damaged.
• ask the collector for more information - a genuine charity should be happy to answer questions.
• check whether a collector has authority to collect. A permit or license is usually needed if raising money in a public place. Collections in private places like train stations and supermarkets need the owner’s or manager’s permission. Collections in pubs need either a license or an exemption.
• if you receive collection bags or fundraising materials from non-charitable organisations claiming to be charitable, and/or using a false registered charity number, you should contact the police, your local trading standards office, the Advertising Standards Agency or your local council.
• if you want to donate online to a particular charity, visit the charity’s website – check that you have the right web address.
• be very careful when responding to emails or clicking links within them to ensure that they are genuine. If you have any concerns about a request for donations that appears to come from a charity, don’t hesitate to contact that charity directly.
• if you are worried that you may have been targeted by a fundraising scam, you should contact Action Fraud and inform the Charity Commission through its website.
• if in any doubt, send your donation directly to the charity.

More Help and Information

If you or someone you know has been a victim of this type of fraud, report it to Action Fraud so that the incident can be passed on to the police.