Clothing Collectors Scam - RBWM Trading Standards Warning

Clothing collections – residents warned by Trading Standards: Royal Borough householders are being urged to be on their guard when donating clothing to commercial firms asking for donations of clothes for third world countries.

Trading standards officers are this week specifically warning residents not to donate clothing to W&W Help Ltd – which has been leafleting households across the borough as recently as last weekend – as the company was dissolved in March this year for failing to submit accounts.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, lead member for public protection, said: “Given that this company should not be trading we have to be highly suspicious about the claims being made on the leaflets which have been put through householders’ doors.  

“They are certainly not a charity, and we would advise residents not to donate clothing or other items to anyone other than genuine charities.

“Collections by commercial operators are perfectly legitimate provided they adhere to company and consumer protection rules.  W&W Help Limited are in breach of these. The problem with donating to organisations such as this is that the genuine charities don’t get the goods that should be being donated to them.”

Steve Johnson, trading standards manager, said: “People should not be fooled by a company registration number on a leaflet.  This is not the same as a registered charity number and the company is likely to be a commercial operation that sells donated goods for profit.

“This company has also been active in Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire and Darlington and their trading standards officers have issued similar warnings to their local residents.

“Most of the charity collection companies are perfectly legitimate, and we do not want to discourage people from donating to such charities – but we would urge anyone with any doubts or concerns to check whether a charity is genuine by logging on to the Charities Commission website at http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk or by calling trading standards on 01628 683802.