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 knew it would be Farringdon - regularly catch the train from here, always so many different organisations trying to get you to donate.

Had a look at Uplifterz - registered as a CIC in July, one director and an odd website, obvs not registered with the fundraising regulator.

So sorry this happened to you @Hardknocks

Report and ask for the money back out of principle! I just say no thanks to charity workers and don’t engage further.

It's not a registered charity (I've checked charity commission)

THe address it is registered to on Companies House is simply a serviced office address - they'll accept the post and forward it on for a small annual fee

The company was only formed in July and website domain only registered in August.

There is a mobile number on the website but I suspect you will not find more than a voice mail at the end of it - however can't be bothered to dial it to find out.

I'm really sorry OP - I'd be asking the bank to cancel my card and dispute the payment - and yes I'd be letting the police know

Inside Success are notorious for their aggressive tactics - it’s disgusting. I once got harassed by them outside three separate tube stations in one day.

Bloody thing only started up in September this year by a 26 year old with only one Director. Didn’t think that was allowed under CIC registration? Anyhow, your ‘charity worker’s’ actions seem anything but charitable and should definitely be reported.

I hate them! not been many around where I live lately but I remember having to duck and dive to avoid them when I was rushing to get my bus home from work and ignoring things like "don't you care about dying babies then?" We used to get them coming door to door too which was a laugh really as I live in a really poor area where people are truly struggling to get by and we have loads of food banks and a church that does free lunches for at least 300 every week. Those are the sorts of charities that I support, not bloody chancers trying to guilt trip and threaten people

Good for your son for leaving. I know elderly people who have been reduced to tears as they were made to feel so guilty and gave money they needed. I had one high profile charity rep shove his foot in my door when I tried to close the door after he wouldn't take no for an answer.

OP. I'm so sorry this happened to you.

Things have moved on from the collection box days ... I really value the work charities do and support them as much as I possibly can, but high pressure tactics on vulnerable people are unforgiveable. It was why I refused the man at the door.

They are not a charity they are a company that’s only been around a couple of months.

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15835071/filing-history

if they are hanging round train stations doing this , it’s definitely worth flagging your experience with both TfL and London Transport Police asap.

Contact the Evening Standard, they might be interested in doing an article about it.

I work for a charity and yes we do have credit card machine (I work in corporate fundraising) but yes these chuggers and despicable and give genuine charities a bad name.

the fundraising regulator is really strict on how you approach people. We sell raffle tickets and we approach people (at certain events where we are the charity partner, never randomly) and ask if they’d like to bit tickets. If it’s a no we say thank you and move on. That’s it.

absolutely complain to all relevant bodies and speak to your bank

I’ve had similar at Farringdon over the last year or so. I’ll be there next week so will keep my wits about me. To be fair I’m normally pretty rude to them if they get aggressive but a 2 hour train journey helps with that. Sorry you’ve had to deal with this OP.

I think they must keep opening under different names if this is a new companies house listing, because they’ve definitely been around for ages with the same blue jackets and stories about knife crime.

Well, that's assault. Wow, would I be going to town on them!

Often these people are not employed directly by the charity. The charity outsources street collections. However they should be reported to the charity as any reputable charity would be concerned.

Not even that, don’t engage at all.

Definitely complain to the charity. These workers often work for third parties, legitimately representing the charity but not employed by them. Guaranteed this is not the behaviour expected of them, that's terrible.

Even better! 👍

Just to echo everyone else, OP - really bad form from that person and sorry to hear that you were pressurised in such a way. Definitely worth reporting.

We have a CIC 'charity shop' in a town near me.

Everyone raves about them. They have masses of donations, they operate using volunteers and the only one making any money is the 'owner'. I've seen very little donated to local charities

But there'd be an outcry if you criticised them

Was this in East Croydon by any chance? Sorry if you’ve already said.

these guys are not legit. I see them harass people every single day.

Yes - and without wanting to derail this thread, on a slightly different note, you always tend to get the guilt trip from all of the beggars on trains / public transport these days. It may be a London thing but hardly a journey goes by these days without at least one beggar walking through a train asking for any spare change and then muttering something when there is no response from passengers.

Uplifterz CIC is the charity. I will be reporting him!

As PPs have said it's not a charity, OP, and FWIW has only been going since July anyway
Interestingly the director's previous company (Amelia's Future, whatever that was) was subject to a compulsory dissolution/strikeoff in September 2023

lifebyfaith · Today 19:28

I would tell your bank that you were coerced and didn't consent to giving the money. You're more likely to get your money back this way than via the charity or whatever it was.

Yes, I think that's the best bet, a woman on your own, with a man intimidating you like that. I'd also report (as others suggest) to TFL and the British Transport Police, rather than the ordinary Police. BTP have a reputation for targetting crooks and antisocial behaviour etc and catching the wee darlings.

He blocked you going, so intimidating, no wonder you just agreed! If it happens again, shout, tell him to fuck off, whatever it takes, shout to the staff that you’re being assaulted, whatever you can think of! Hope you’re ok, I’m so glad I don’t have that commute anymore. 🙁

I've just looked at their website. It doesn't look legit. Looks like a fake website to me. You can tell from the lack of real information about anything. Even the address I'm sure is just a virtual office, not an actual office with any staff in it.