Fraudsters targeting Suffolk homes with fake charity collection bags

The warning comes after a large number of empty bags were discovered in rural hedges. The bags claimed to be in support of Be Child Cancer Aware, but the charity has confirmed it does not raise money through clothing collections and the bags are not genuine.

Suffolk Trading Standards is concerned fraudsters may be using the bags to take advantage of people's generosity by collecting donations intended for charity.

The bags appear to have been delivered through letterboxes, encouraging residents to leave unwanted clothing and household items outside for collection.

Residents are urged to check any door-to-door collection independently before donating items, and, if in doubt, contact the charity via the details on their website to check a collection is genuine.

There are a number of other indicators of a legitimate collection:

• genuine charity collection bags will usually state when the collection is due to take place;
• collection vehicles should display the charity’s branding; and
• collectors should be able to provide photo identification and contact details when asked.

Instead of leaving donations outside for collection, residents can donate unwanted items directly to charity shops, take them to official collection points or use authorised local recycling services.

Cllr June Mummery, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for coastal affairs, communities and public health, said:

“These crooks appear to be cashing in on people's kindness. They have used the name of a legitimate charity to make their collection bags look genuine and persuade residents to leave items outside – only for them to be stolen.

“Nobody wants their donation to end up in the hands of criminals. If you're clearing out unwanted clothes or items, please use a charity shop, official collection point or trusted recycling service. It's the safest way to ensure your donation does some good rather than helping criminals profit."

Anyone with information about suspicious collections can report it to Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133.

Textiles, including clothes, shoes, belts, bags, curtains and soft toys, can be reused, donated or recycled through a range of authorised services across Suffolk. Information on local options is available through Suffolk Recycling.