# Consumers have lost £1.6m to online charity fraud in past year

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/11/29/consumers-have-lost-1-6m-in-online-charity-fraud-in-past-year/
- Published: 2021-11-29T11:54:42+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**In the past year (October 2020 to October 2021), Action Fraud has received 702
reports of online charity fraud from the general public, with consumers reporting
losing £1.6m over this time.**

The fraud includes asks for donations for non-existent charities and the fraudulent
collection of funds from genuine charities. [Action Fraud](https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/)’
s data also shows that the £1.6m loss to fraud is up by 16% on the figure reported
in the previous year.

It has joined forces with the Fundraising Regulator, the Charity Commission for 
England and Wales, and National Trading Standards in calling on the public to give
safely when donating online this Christmas.

## Advertisement

The campaign, coordinated by the Fundraising Regulator, urges members of the public
to conduct checks before giving to charity, to make sure their donations reach the
intended recipient. These include:
  *  Check the charity name and its registration
number [on the Charity Commission website](https://www.gov.uk/find-charity-information)
to find out whether the charity is legitimate.  *   Use the Fundraising Regulator’s
[online Directory](https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/directory) to find out
whether a charity has registered with it.  *   Look out for the [Fundraising Badge](https://www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk/more-from-us/about-us/fundraising-badge)
on charity marketing materials.  *   Ask questions about the cause – if unsure about
giving, ask for more information.

Gerald Oppenheim, Chief Executive of the Fundraising Regulator said:

> “The British public is always exceedingly generous when giving to charity, and
> we want to make sure that they can continue to do so, safe in the knowledge that
> their donation is going to its intended cause.
>  
> “Just a few simple steps – including looking out for the Fundraising Badge, which
> means a charity has committed to best practice – will help the general public 
> to make informed decisions when donating to good causes, and we are pleased to
> be working closely with other regulators to deliver this important message.”