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AIBU?

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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:
RubySlippers · 27/02/2008 17:45

hungry panda - i also work for a charity and i don't like chugging or doorstepping for precisley the reasons that have been shown on this thread

nothing to do with people being unwilling to part with their money - they have to be asked nicely and appropriately and that doesn't mean being accosted by someone rattling a tin on a high street

MsHighwater · 27/02/2008 17:46

There are so many charities that it's just not possible to give to all those who would tug at your heartstrings.

I will never ever set up a direct debit in response to an unsolicited phone call, doorstep visit or street encounter. I do understand, though, that charities have to engage in "hard sell" tactics, so to speak, to get their point across. It's just that I choose not to respond.

In your position, I'd be inclined to put a notice by my door saying "no cold calls" or some such.

If the collector is rude, or if you suspect he is not genuine, I would ask to see the ID card to get the contact details of the charity so that you can contact them to complain.

MaryBS · 27/02/2008 17:48

Many charities now PAY people (usually students) a commission based on how many direct debits they can get signed up. It sounds genuine because I've come across many like this. But I never contribute if they are going to get paid for it (I ask them), because the charity would do better if I contacted them direct.

But it does mean that many of the collectors are doing it for the money, little as it is, rather than "for charity"

MsHighwater · 27/02/2008 17:49

And no, no-one should be able to take money from your account with just the account number and sort code. You would have to authorise the transaction.

That said, a scammer, once he has these details has some of what he would need to raid your account.

SheikYerbouti · 27/02/2008 18:12

I have the following letter stuck to my door. It's worked a treat.

Dear Cold Callers,

I love paying through the nose for my gas and electricity supply, it really is marvellous, so you can guarantee I won?t be interested in saving money with your company.

And it doesn?t end there!

My windows are superb examples of 1980s glazing, so ringing the doorbell will be a little pointless as I won?t want to change them. They are here to stay. I live in a 1985 time warp anyway, so I probably won?t answer the door, as I will be too busy ?Choosing Life,? just like my idols Wham!

I am also not interested in helping charity, mainly because I am a mean, penny-pinching old trout who firmly believes that charity begins at home. If you want to know how mean I am, ask my children, who only got a single potato each for Christmas.

Finally, I don?t want my carpets to be cleaned ? I am currently growing valuable colonies of penicillin ? you?ll thank my carpets next time you have a chest infection. And as I don?t have a drive, I don?t need it to be tarmaced, thank you very much for asking.

Last week (10-15 February 2008) I had no less than 8 different cold callers at my door ? all of whom had the same answer: NO!

If you have read this far, I admire your persistence and stamina however, I STILL WILL NOT BE INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU HAVE TO SELL.

Signed,
The Grumpy Old Curmudgeon Within.
Ring the bell at your peril!

Shaniece · 27/02/2008 19:04

lol @ SheikYerbouti . I might print that out and stick it on my front door.

SheikYerbouti · 27/02/2008 19:06

I had 8 in one week a couple of weeks ago.

I haven't had any since I put that up, it's been bliss.

lottiejenkins · 27/02/2008 19:20

Well I support the Deaf Childrens Society, when the person knocked on my door he'd already heard about my profoundly deaf son from the whole village, I was already giving to the NDCS but can understand your reluctance to give details.

likelaa · 27/02/2008 22:23

Hi,
I had someone like this turn up and the door and like others I said No, and I'd perhaps make a donation online.

What I found is it was 'legit' but not what I was expecting..

Basically the guy had bought a 'franchise' to be able to go and 'raise' money for that charity but it's not for free, they take a % themselves. Basically they are looking to set up people with direct debits...

Sure, the charity gets money still but I just feel it's not made obvious that it's not all going to charity..

So I never donate in the street now, I simply don't know if they are taking a cut themselves, and so will only donate online.

madamez · 27/02/2008 23:22

Hungrypanda, what charities I give to are my business. But anyone pestering me for anything can go take a flying fuck. It's not the way to get money, gifts or goodwill out of people.

Another handy hint for the meanminded, let them set you up the direct debit but either give them false numbers or cancel it the next day.

PeachesMcLean · 27/02/2008 23:29

Well you could give false details or cancel it but that would probably cost the charity money in admin of trying to sort it out. Better to just say "no thanks" and close the door. I don't know why people find that so difficult. DH gets so wound up about people coming to the door. I don't understand it myself.

MaryBS · 28/02/2008 06:59

"And no, no-one should be able to take money from your account with just the account number and sort code. You would have to authorise the transaction. "

You would thinks so - but did anyone see that Jeremy Clarkson published his account number and sort code in the newspaper, and someone set up a direct debit from his account to a charity, and £500 was taken from his account...

Lulumama · 28/02/2008 07:36

that is right mary, they made a donation to a diabetic charity IIRC.. so another reason to not give out bank details on your doorstep!

sandcastles · 28/02/2008 07:41

MsHighwater, my uncle got scammed for 250gbp form his account with only his sort code, card exp date & postcode.

It does happen.

SueW · 28/02/2008 07:58

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

MsHighwater · 28/02/2008 12:41

I know it does happen. That's why I said should.

MsSparkle · 28/02/2008 12:45

Definatly don't give them your details like that. I had a salesman come to my door last night and i wasn't happy because i had to point out the 'NO SALES OR CHARITY CALLERS PLEASE' sign to him that was on the doorbell

MsSparkle · 28/02/2008 12:46

SueW tell me about NSPCC. What's wrong with the charity? (not being smart, genuine question)

rantinghousewife · 28/02/2008 12:48

It's a chugger, they don't accept cash, I don't think they're allowed to.
We had one at the door the other night and she kept waffling on at me about (she saw dd from the door) how I might feel if something like that happened to dd etc, which narked me. I told her no, not today.

mablemurple · 28/02/2008 12:52

Your bank account number and sort code are printed on every cheque that you write, so unless you pay for everything in cash, most people are sending these details to a lot of strangers fairly regularly!
Having said that, I would not have agreed to give him my details, although for a lot of other reasons, but not because these pieces of information are in some way 'secret'.

SueW · 28/02/2008 14:11

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

weirdbird · 02/03/2008 18:01

SueW - So glad to finally find out I am not the only one who won'tdeal with the NSPCC because of there tactics.

If they started telling me WHAT they where actually DOING to stop child abuse I might donate, but I refuse to be emotionally blackmailed into it.

And I'm sorry but how many people arn't aware that abuse goes on? The time for awareness campaigning has been and gone and I dislike the amount of money they spend trying to shock/upset me.

SheikYerbouti · 02/03/2008 18:08

I had someone ring yesterday saying they were collecting for a lcal boy who has a brain tumoir. He is seeki9ng expensive surgery in America.

Good cause said I, can you send me more info and an address where I can send a cheque to?

The phone was slammed down.

See, that's why people are suspicious. I was extremely saddened that some sick fucker was using this poor child as a front for a scam (and I did check his name on t'internet - he is for real)

I object to people disturbing me in my own home and making me feel guilty. I give regularly to 2 charities, as well as supporting charities through other means. I cannot afford to give meor, and I certainly won;t be bullied into it by some jumped up little twerp who rings my doorstep, invariably when I am mid-poo

SheikYerbouti · 02/03/2008 18:09

Rings my doorbell, obv

rantinghousewife · 02/03/2008 18:10

I don't donate to the NSPCC for the same reasons and my mil stopped giving to them at Christmas when they started pestering her by phone for direct debits.
I donate to 2 small local charities, just because I know what they do with my money and they don't pay wanky marketing men to fundraise.

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