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.

I'd report the transaction as fraudulent in your bank account online tonight, and report the incident to both the station and the British Transport Police.

if it happens again tell him to move or you will contact the British Transport Police.

You didn't give to the charity, you were mugged. I'd be asking for a refund, let alone reporting.

There's a reason they are called chuggers - charity muggers.

I no longer feel bad, I just say no thank you.

Totally fine to rescind the money - it was gained through menaces for goodness sake!

Who’s running it? Fagin?

Next time if they block your way, don’t be calm and rational, say you will scream if they don’t move the hell out of your way.

im sorry you had to go through that op, I’m a natural people pleaser and too nice for my own good, but if people are that pushy that they are obstructing you and harassing you, you need to put your foot down and acting a bit over the top gets the job done.

This is not a registered charity. It’s a knife crime ‘enterprise’ well known for its aggressive and unethical tactics. There’s a few subs about them on Reddit.

Sorry you experienced that.

ETA: here’s what someone says about them on Reddit:

“Firstly, the knife crime charity workers are one of the most annoying people on earth that I come across.
Secondly, I definitely wouldn’t say that they’re legit. I had two classmates who worked with them once. I asked one of them if they actually use the money to help their charity and whatnot, and she admitted that she and her co workers all split the money between themselves and spend it on whatever”

There phone number is on their website.Call then tomorrow, tell them that you will go to the press.

Shame on that person, what a lowlife

I mean Their

I would go to the charity. Tell them you felt threatened and want your money back or you will be going to the charity commission

Have a search on Companies House, from the info it looks dodgy.

I dont think that will work seeing as they're not registered with the charity commission, as they're not a legit charity.

The more I think about it (and having got home and ranted to DH), I’m going to make a complaint and try and get the money back. I don’t know how far I’ll get but it’s worth a try.

https://uplifterz.co.uk/

Here's the company

I would dispute the payment with your bank. Given the circumstances.

Well done for reporting what happened. I have had pushy people with this before but always managed to get away.

Please report on TfL's website (or the station if it was an overground one) as well. They should not be allowed anyway near the barriers. How awful for you, OP.

I dread going to some stations, Waterloo is a particularly bad one, it's carnage outside with charities running around stopping people.

Name the charity

Report to transport police.

Just for info:

A Community Interest Company (CIC) is not a charity, but it is a type of limited company that aims to benefit the community

I find them very dubious as it is entirely up to them how much in the way of 'benefits' they distribute

I wonder if police is the best bet because it was harassing you and not letting you leave until you handed over money.
Also I'd definitely speak to the train station, as they shouldn't be letting people in doing this. Do they have no staff on site who can see this happening?

She did - Uplifterz CIC

Not really a charity

Report to charity, but also to TFL or the train station manager, that sort of behaviour shouldn’t be permitted in their stations

You can dispute the payment on your card. And say that you were forced to make it under duress.

They look pretty dodgy to me, definitely report. The language on the website is not very UKish and their office address is interesting!