Shoppers and workers in south-east London are being urged to stay alert to scammers posing as charity fundraisers after a man lost £5,000 when he agreed to donate £10.
A local in Bromley reported being approached by a so-called “chugger” claiming to represent a charity. The resident agreed to donate £10, but the initial payment appeared to be declined, and they were asked to enter their PIN a second time before the transaction went through.
When the resident later checked their online banking app, they found £5,000 had been debited from their account, according to Bromley Council’s Trading Standards team.
Council warns donors to take extra care
Following the incident, the local authority has warned those who want to give to street charity workers to “take extra care”. The Conservative-led administration urged would-be donors to make sure the operation they are giving to is legitimate and genuinely represents the charity it claims to work for.
A council spokesman said: “Following concerns about local fundraising activity, residents are being advised to take extra care when making charitable donations and to ensure any contribution is going to a legitimate cause.
“While many charities rely on public generosity, this goodwill can potentially be exploited to obtain money or personal and financial information. Taking a few moments to verify who is asking for a donation can help ensure funds reach the intended charity.”
Regulator rules on legitimate fundraising
Strict rules are imposed by the Fundraising Regulator on legitimate charity money-raising activities by UK charities. Charities must have been granted permits, and fundraisers must wear ID badges that are “at least the size of a credit card”, the regulator said.
“Door-to-door, private-site and street fundraisers should be identifiable by clothing that clearly displays the charitable institution’s branding,” the watchdog said on its website.
Street charity fundraisers were colloquially known as “chuggers” due to the sound of them rattling loose change in their collection buckets or tins. Most charities actively warn against such behaviour, however, following watchdog guidance that fundraising street vendors should not cause a nuisance or annoy the public. Rules were brought in across central London almost 15 years ago to ensure people could go about their business without having to dodge chuggers.
Advice for residents
Bromley Council said genuine fundraisers should be able to provide identification and details of the charity they represent. The south-east London authority said if there was any doubt, donations should be made via the charity’s official website.
The council advised residents to never feel pressured into donating on the spot, ask for identification, and be particularly cautious of collectors who request cash only, or become pushy when questioned. It also told residents to never provide a card PIN or other sensitive banking information, carefully review any paperwork before agreeing to regular payments, and be vigilant when approached online or by telephone, and never click links in unexpected messages.
