Battersea door to door fundraisers

[Candycandy04]

Hey everyone, I have a question. I had some Battersea animal shelter door to door fundraiser come around last week on the 19th August 2025. To be fair they were wearing the Battersea uniform and did have a ID lanyard but they didn’t show it to me.

Me being the paranoid person I am, I entered incorrect information such as incorrect surname, date of birth, address, email address and contact number, contact preferences in their device (they were using a mobile and not an iPad as it states they use an iPad, on the Battersea website) once I clicked submit, the details were supposedly sent to Battersea and a code was generated, the fundraiser said something about an email.

Their device did not ask for direct debit details (sort code and account number) and neither did the fundraiser say that my direct debit details are needed to be signed up, I also did not have my direct debit details to hand and don’t remember them off memory.

Surely if they were signing me up wouldn’t their device ask for my sort code and account number along with the amount and direct debit date?

The reason I gave them incorrect information was due to the amount of scams happening in today’s day and age. Has any one had this happen to them before? Is this normal as I’m stressing out about this now.

I already struggle with depression and this has been playing on my mind since last week. I’ve searched google and AI but both give me conflicting information. One says that they would never take direct details at the door when the other says they should do. Which one is correct?

I’ve contacted Battersea and explained this to them and asked for the record to be removed from their system but they couldn’t locate the account yet as it’s still likely being set up. Any help and clarification in what the correct process is would be appreciated for my peace of mind. It’s either they do or don’t take your direct debit details in their device at the door?

was I unreasonable to give false personal information to the fundraiser because I thought it was a scam and to just end the conversation as this fundraiser was very very pushy, not everyone has the guts to say NO!

Thank you in advance

Please just learn to say No thank you.
As you said a week later and it's still making you anxious which is not doing you any good.

I know door knockers are a nuisance but you also wasted everyone's time

I think it’s just easier to say no.
No I’m not interested.
no. I’m busy.
No I don’t engage with chuggers
No. I’m already a donor.

I cannot imagine going through a charade and providing false info. If it was false, do you need to worry about getting it deleted?

If you have them false info what is your worry? You haven't had the email because they haven't got the right address for you. They can't charge you because they don't have your bank details. I'm genuinely lost as to what you think the outcome is here?

Before they even start talking ‘now isn’t a good time, sorry’ or ‘I already donate to my preferred causes.’ I wouldn’t fill in any info on an iPad or form I was handed in the street or by a stranger either - ‘I don’t have that information to hand’

Charity fundraisers have a code they abide by and expect people to politely decline. Recently there are a number of other organisations (CICs) operating on the streets, in tube stations and door to door who are not held to the same standards and some of which are using very aggressive tactics.

I just say “not today thank you” with a big smile and shut the door. Or if you’re not able to do that put a “no cold callers” sticker by your doorbell. I’ve said YABU wasting that poor person’s time (and the admin person, and Battersea’s) with fake details.

in terms of Battersea it seems quite clear that you would receive an email link for you to set up dd online - but you haven’t as you gave them fake details. They can’t get your bank account details unless you gave them out so everything is quite secure. I’ve read your OP a couple of times and I’m not sure how you think your bank account details could be at risk when you didn’t disclose them?

and since all the other information you have them was incorrect you are not at risk of identity theft.

I think you can safely forget about this and get a “no cold callers” sign (or just write it on a post it note - doesn’t need anything official!)

As someone who knocks on doors for a living (not chugging or selling) I totally recognise this response. Some people are just incapable of saying no but they don’t want to say yes so tie themselves in convoluted knots. I do think possible just need some assertiveness training.

Giving false info to a charity that has helped out starving and abandoned dogs and latterly cats since Victorian times is a dick move IMO. What a waste of time.

Just shut the door if the words "no thanks" are too difficult.

I go door to door for ny church, so I understand people can be shy and wary. But next time say no thankyou.

Giving false info is just a waste of everyone's time. Say no thankyou and shut the door.

Seriously....why didn't you just say "not interested" and close the door?

Before they even open their mouths: Sorry! Close door

I don’t understand why charities still pay people to do this . There are other, better ways to raise awareness and gain support.

I always say no (nicely) to chuggers, for the perfectly good reason that I already do several charity direct debits.

I was once collared in central London by a chugger for a charity for the blind. It seemed legit, so I agreed. However I declined to give my age, on the grounds that it was immaterial (and none of their business) and my phone number, because I didn’t want them phoning me.

Around a week later I received a letter, saying that they were ‘unable’ to process my ‘application’ without this information!

The cheek of it!

Needless to say, the letter went in the bin - and the money started coming out of my account every month anyway.

It’s likely not a scam - I had the same charity at the door last week too. You haven’t handed any bank details or any identifiable information so even if it was a scam (extremely unlikely) no one can do anything to you.

These big charities all abide by the Code of Fundraising Practice which means (among many other things) they commit to not pressuring or manipulating people to give. A simple ‘no thank you, I’m not interested’ is enough to end the conversation. It sounds like you tied yourself in knots trying not to offend this person but really, once you say no, they will simply say ‘ok, thank you’ and they’ll move on.

The only charity I've had knock were Dogs Trust. I use the same approach for them, Jehovah Witnesses and anyone selling stuff - big smile and say 'I'm not interested thanks' and shut the door. You're an adult - you need to learn how to say no!

I get you, but I tend to say no than you before they even get a chance to say hello. I work in fundraising but would gladly have a telephone preference service for door to door fundraisers, salesmen and political canvassers plus mail with no name on.

I don't understand why you are still stressing. If you gave them false information, they clearly can't get any money off you! Just forget about it. And learn to say "No thanks".

Echoing what everyone else has said. I always just say I have a personal rule never to donate on the doorstep and everyone just simply accepts it and politely leave.