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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a "charity collector" was trying to scam me

51 replies

squeaver · 27/02/2008 13:40

Just had a bloke at the door, all very chatty "I'm from such and such a charity for deaf children I'm sure you've heard of us" Well no, but whatever, let me get my purse and get you off my doorstep. "Oh no" says he "We don't take donations over the door, what I need is your bank account number and sort code - not any sensitive information...."

"Oh no" says I "no way am I handing that information over to you." Off he went, not best pleased.

I'm not being stupid am I? Why would anyone hand that sort of information to a random stranger? And whatever happened to a good old fashioned collection tin? Maybe a sticker to say thanks?

OP posts:
kayzisbroody · 27/02/2008 13:44

I would never give those details out to anyone.

What an idiot to ask for that!!

Rosa · 27/02/2008 13:55

Report him...Some other person might be taken in by it all .

TheFallenMadonna · 27/02/2008 13:57

Was he trying to get you to set up a direct debit perhaps? Lots of charities encourage this now, rather than one-off donations.

southeastastra · 27/02/2008 13:58

they collect like this on the high st, i always tell them i have no bank account and they leave you alone. it's annoying at the door though!

RubySlippers · 27/02/2008 13:59

did he have Photo ID?

any LEGITIMATE charity collector will happily present their ID to you if they are doorstepping

FM is right - loads of charities are now asking people to sign up for a direct debit

janestillhere · 27/02/2008 13:59

We had one of those once. It was a very pushy hard sell type young woman who laid on the guilt at us not giving bank details etc.
i said No wat as you did - no chance, but offered to give a cash donation there are then \She refused and was very rude.
Horrible when they knock on the door - I donate all the time to charities, buying stuff in the shops, giving furniture etc - but these make you sick.

DeeRiguer · 27/02/2008 13:59

must be one of the few charities to turn down donation
even if this is genuine i wouldnt do it either

RubySlippers · 27/02/2008 14:00

if you think he is dodgy, call the charity

they will be really upset that someone is doing this in their name

NatalieJane · 27/02/2008 14:02

We have had quite a few of these, I tell them I haven't got time to go through it right now, but if they give me their website details I'll look into in the evening.

Normally works.

CoffeeCrazedMama · 27/02/2008 14:03

We had this from the Amnesty International guy (and they're well known) when we just wanted to give him a few quid to stop bothering us (it was his 4th visit in a week - he had kept calling when I was out and teenage dd answered the door).

I was to think that charities think it is ok for people to be walking around the streets at night with a pocket-full of people's banking details.

YANBU - especially as it was an 'obscure' charity - how are you to know who he is?

I now just say, I'm terribly sorry, but I don't give at the door but I'm happy to take your literature - I would only give banking details over a secure server.

TotalChaos · 27/02/2008 14:07

I think these people can't accept donations, as you need some sort of licence or permit IIRC to collect actualy physical money for charity.

Original poster
squeaver · 27/02/2008 14:15

He did have some sort of ID card which he just flashed at me. I suppose it would be like one of those chugger people on the high street but he didn't say "would you like to set up a direct debit?". His actual words were something like "I'm trying to raise £10,000 in this area, would you like to donate?".

I'm a bit ashamed that I don't know more about how these things work but surely , if they've got your account number and sort code they can just take money out of your account willy-nilly.

I think it was the National Deaf Children's Society..??

OP posts:
Twiglett · 27/02/2008 14:16

I shut the door on Chuggers ..and make bloody clear why ... because that's what they are ... CHarity Muggers

I also give them a wide berth on the street

foul practice

RubySlippers · 27/02/2008 14:17

You do need a permit for street/cash collections

That charity you mentioned were doing a lot of chugging in North London recently

Original poster
squeaver · 27/02/2008 14:19

It could have been www.ndcs.org.uk

I'm going to send then an email and see what they have to say.

OP posts:
Original poster
squeaver · 27/02/2008 14:20

RS - I am in north London...all becomes clear..

OP posts:
captainmummy · 27/02/2008 14:21

We used to get chuggers about 4 times a week on our high street. I'd get trapped twice a day - to and from school.
I hate them

They shouldn't be knocking on doors. I got one once from Damian Airs (?) Zoo, would I like to help the animals. Err no, it's his zoo, he is a millionaire, why should I give him money? Shouldn't it be the other way round?

nickytwotimes · 27/02/2008 14:21

We've had this too. i'm used to (avoiding) them in the street, but i don't like it when they show up at the door.

madamez · 27/02/2008 14:21

I always go 'No' and shut the door. No matter what it is. And I'm no more polite than that, either: they've disturbed me and don't merit politeness.

mawbroon · 27/02/2008 14:24

It is also my understanding that they are no longer allowed to collect cash round the doors and most charities prefer to have you set up a direct debit. I am not handing over my bank details on the doorstep though and my tactic is to ask for their web address as most reputable charities allow you to make donations online. Once they have gone, you can check out the charity online and make an informed decusion about whether you want to donate or not rather than a snap decision.

globetrotterinvietnam · 27/02/2008 17:07

Do any of you know how hard it is to get donations for a charity?? It's extremely difficult. I'm disabled, I set up something in Vietnam and it takes forever to get money. I'm also very young, so people are more skeptical.

There are a lot of charities that take advantadge, but this makes it harder on all the good charities.

2shoes · 27/02/2008 17:14

yanbu

hungrypanda · 27/02/2008 17:27

I work for a charity and people are SO blardy suspicious. The more money people have, the less they're willing to part with it.

chocolatedot · 27/02/2008 17:39

It may seem that way hungrypanda but we give an awful lot to charity via various schemes and as a result are absolutely bombarded with requests and harassed by a large variety of charities. You have to draw the line somewhere.

Lulumama · 27/02/2008 17:43

hungrypanda, would you give your bank details to someone on the doorstep? i would not

i give by direct debit to several charities. donate a lot of household goods , books, toys and clothes to a several charities.

i cannot give any more than i give now.

i would be annoyed if i thought i was being judged as tightfisted by the person on the doorstep