To feel a bit harassed by charity worker

[Hardknocks]

Was on my way back from a meeting in London this evening, had to stop at the ticket machine to get my ticket a charity person came over to ask for a donation - I said I couldn’t afford it (I couldn’t), but I usually do give something. However this guy was so pushy, putting leaflets in my face, telling me he lost his brother to knife crime etc etc. He put £25 into his card reader and just kept saying ‘just tap your phone, tap your phone’. I politely asked him to move so that I could get past and through the train barrier but he said not until I tap.. so feeling completely intimidated I did.

I feel stupid, I couldn’t afford £25. I don’t begrudge giving to charity at all and I do where I can. AIBU to feel a bit upset about the whole thing.

Obviously you need to report him to the charity saying when and where this happened. I suspect he may have been a scammer though unfortunately

That's terrible!

Personally I'd get in touch with the charity.

Are you sure he was legit as well - this sounds like such a horrible pressured situation I can't imagine a genuine charity person collecting would be blocking your way and forcing you to donate such a large amount!

Good grief. Was it your credit card? Try and claim it back and report him to the charity.

Do you remember which charity?
Contact them and complain.
Also complain to the station management.
They should never be that pushy.
Next time....
A firm "no" and walk away.

As far as I know he was genuine, he was wearing the charity jacket and he had the usual book. As I finally got through the ticket barrier I could see him doing it to someone else - I’ll definitely report it.

Can you remember which charity it was for? If so, I’d make a complaint. If not, might be worth reporting it via a non-emergency number. Refusing to allow you to pass until you paid is absolutely illegal. He essentially coerced you into giving the money.

A Chugger. Horrible

If you can't remember which charity it was contact the station management telling them where and a what time it happened - it could be on CCTV.

Report it anyway.

Report it - if he is a scammer he may also have your card details now so best contact your bank.

@Hardknocks was it Inside Success Union? Teenagers in high-vis jackets banging on about knife crime? Massive scam - report to TFL, they shouldn't be letting them onto the concourse.

I am so sorry this happened to you, @Hardknocks - I would complain to the railway station too - hopefully they will be appalled to hear about anyone acting so aggressively - even under the guise of charity collection - and will get their staff to keep an eye out for him.

It might sound like an over reaction, but I would suggest calling the police too - this individual obtained money by menaces - he made you pay so he would let you past - and that is an offence, I am sure.

Finally, you should contact your bank and put a stop on the payment, if you can - or contact the charity and insist on a refund.

Definitely report it. And if it happens to you again, shout. Make a fuss. Let people around know that this git is trying to extort money from you.

I would absolutely report him!!!

These people are so pushy and they see women as an easy target (assuming you're a woman)

I had one of them when I had to lease a hire car. I said, I'm a single mum and can't afford the add on insurance but he was really pressuring me

No respect

Sorry op, if you have a credit card, maybe contact them, as a pp said xx

Yes, if you ever have this situation again, get loud - it will attract attention - scammers often melt away, they don’t want to be noticed by the authorities.

YABU to ask if you're being unreasonable.

Make a report to the transport police and contact your card company immediately, incase he's cloned it.

Thank you everyone for your kind words! I have checked my bank and it’s a legit payment - Uplifterz CIC is the charity. I will be reporting him!

Report it.

If it happens again don't give them any kind of response. Any kind of acknowledgement of their existence just gives them an opening to start wheedling and harassing you. You don't want to be in a discussion with someone employed by a fundraising company that probably takes a large percentage of the donations to the charity.

There were a whole bunch of the knife crime chuggers in Bristol when I went there with DD. She uses a wheelchair and they left us alone. So they are ablist as well as annoying.

I'm sorry? £25?

Absolutely not report it to the police if you can then hopefully the bank can pull it back for you and watch they haven swiped your details

Son got a job going door to door for a charity at one point. He left pretty quickly as he was pressured to "sell" and said he felt guilty trying to persuade people who couldn't afford it to give money. Pay was related to how much he brought in as well.

Well perhaps he stole the charity jacket? 🤷‍♂️

Either way, contact your card issuer incase he clears your account.

A CIC is not even a charity, it's a community interest company

@Notadramallama you’re right.. I’ve been completely had. So annoyed with myself.