Council warns of Slough charity clothing scam
Slough Borough Council’s trading standard’s team is warning residents about a charity scam operating in the borough and is urging people to read leaflets which drop through their doors very carefully.
Leaflets posing as legitimate charities are being distributed across Slough asking people to give unwanted clothing, DVD’s, CD’s and perfumes though they are not a charity and sell the items on for profit.
Although some appear to indicate that they are registered charities, most are not even registered with the Charity Commission.
One of the company’s causing concerns is Ambertop Ltd. This company was actually dissolved according to Company’s House records and are not registered as a charity.
Keith Eaglestone, head of Slough trading standards, said: “We have already received complaints about this company as complainants feel they imply they are collecting for charitable purposes when this is not the case.
“We do not want local people being mislead into giving away their goods to this type of company when there are plenty of genuine charities who would be willing to take them.”
He added: “Residents should read any leaflets of this sort very carefully and if they have any doubts about a company being a bona fide charity should contact the Charity Commission.”
Commissioner for Slough public protection, Cllr John Edwards said: “People should be aware who they are giving to and I urge people to check the motives behind leaflets which do not allow them to check on legitimacy.
“The body representing charity shops have estimated that the potential value of donated clothing and other items ‘lost’ to legitimate charities as a result of these types of firm activities amounts to at least £1m a year.
“If you cannot contact a company making collections, I would advise people not to use them and to go to the many charity shops in Slough instead.”
Slough Borough Council