LORELY BURT MP CALLS FOR ACTION ON CHRISTMAS CLOTHING COLLECTION CON

5.37.02pm GMT Tue 11th Dec 2007

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has written to Trading Standards officers in Solihull to alert them of constituents' concerns over door-to-door clothing collections for bogus charities.

Mrs Burt recently gave her backing to a campaign run by the Charity Commission to deliver warning leaflets in Solihull, and said that Trading Standards officers need to crack down on fraudsters following further complaints from residents.

Lorely Burt MP said:

"Christmas is a time when people want to be more generous to others in need. While the vast majority of leaflets distributed to households are from genuine registered charities, some are from wholly commercial companies who do not pass any profits on to charities.

"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.

The Solihull MP encouraged residents to check on the credentials of collectors to make sure that they are genuine.

• 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.

"I want to help people in Solihull make sure their generosity goes to a genuine charity. 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," added Mrs Burt