East Riding of Yorkshire Council Trading Standards Services have received a number of complaints about fake charity collections.

Bridlington shops are concerned about flyers and bags that make offers to collect items for charity, which are then being sold for profit.

Legitimate charities that rely on doorstep collections are losing out as a result of these bogus collections and residents who want to donate their goods to a worthy cause are being misled.

Kerry Doyle, manager at Age Concern in Promenade, said: "We did a 400-bag drop on the south side and got no bags in return because someone had already picked them up before us.

"We have had problems for a couple of years but in the last year it has been getting worse.

"Sometimes the bogus collectors don't even drop their own bags off they just collect bags belonging to other charities.

"We pay a driver to collect the bags and if he isn't bringing us bags back there is no profit for the shop, we are not making money we are losing money."

She said other charity shops in town were also having problems.

Householders are being warned that they may receive flyers and bags through their letterboxes, appealing for donations of clothing and other household items so these can be distributed to people in Eastern European or third world countries.

However, trading standards say these bogus collection firms appear to operate for the purpose of making a profit for themselves.

Some firms even refer to a registration number on their flyer or bag, leading people to think the charity is registered with the Charity Commission but this may simply be a limited company number.

Miss Doyle said: "Check it is a worthy charity which is collecting the bags because a lot of the bags are for limited companies, or donate small amounts from goods received such as £20 in every tonne, if they make £447 in every tonne only £20 goes to charity and £427 in their pockets."

Coun Jane Evison, portfolio holder for public protection, said: "It is very important that local residents continue to support legitimate charities as worthy causes are losing out to these bogus collections.

"I urge anyone who has doubts about a charitable collections firm to check that their donation will go to a legitimate charity."

Anyone who has doubts about a flyer they receive, regarding charity collections, can contact the Charity Commission helpline on 0845 3000218 or visit www.charitycommission.

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