# Bogus charity collectors 'pocketing cash'

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/03/23/bogus-charity-collectors-039pocketing-cash039/
- Published: 2007-03-23T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Charities are losing out on money because of bogus street collectors, police have
warned. The PSNI said reports from across Northern Ireland suggested fundraisers
were pocketing donations given by generous passers-by.

People are being urged to check identification before giving cash. Ciara Gallagher
of the Institute of Fundraising in Northern Ireland said it was essential that charities
retained the public’s confidence and support.

“We would like to reassure the public that the majority of people who fundraise 
for thousands of good causes day-in day-out are genuine,” she said.

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“If you are concerned that collectors may not be genuine you can always give directly
to the charity – the last thing we want is for people to stop giving.”

Detective Inspector Sam Sittlington of the PSNI’s Financial Investigation Unit said
people should not feel embarrassed to ask a collector for identification.

“Charity workers carry official collectors cards with a charity logo, which is signed
by the charity and has a registration number – it also carries contact details.

“Many of the cards used by collectors have photographs of the collector. Charity
workers who are genuine also carry a letter to say they are authorised to collect
money for charity.”

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 * **[Irish trust reveals new guidelines](https://fundraising.co.uk/2007/03/28/irish-trust-reveals-new-guidelines/)**(
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