Warning over bogus armed forces charity collectors

PUBLIC protection chiefs at Warrington have issued a warning about bogus armed forces charities in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday.
The borough council wants Warrington people to be as generous as they always are in buying poppies and donating to official armed forces charities – but to be vigilant about giving to those who may not be what they seem
Most of those collecting in busy shopping centre – such as the Royal British Legion – are genuine, but there have been cases of collectors being exposed as fraudsters who give little or none of the money they collect to the armed forces.
Pete Astley (pictured) , the council’s assistant director, regulation and public protection, said: “Charities like the Royal British Legion do a hugely important job in supporting our armed forces and the people of Warrington are always generous in their donations to them.
“That’s why it’s such a shame that there are some unscrupulous individuals who use the heroic efforts of others for their own financial gain, targeting in particular older and vulnerable people.
“Our message is to continue to be generous, but to protect yourself by thinking before you give. Ask yourself if you recognise the collectors. Avoid those who collect aggressively. And don’t be afraid to ask polite questions about where your money is going, especially how much they keep for overheads. Check out any charity numbers they quote on their material on your smartphone, and if they have, for instance, failed to file accounts, or their finances don’t add up – avoid.
“Sticking to these rules can help make sure that the money you donate goes to the armed forces as intended and not into the pockets of fraudulent individuals.”