Bracknell

Bracknell Forest Trading Standards are advising residents to be aware of door to door charity fund-raisers after receiving reports of bogus callers trying to claim money on behalf of a charity.

During the last few weeks Bracknell Council has received reports of residents being visited by collectors claiming they are from Barnardos and asking for donations for a new centre. They asked for bank details and claimed that Bracknell Forest Council would match fund their donation. The Council has not be involved in any such charity collection.

The Bracknell Council's trading standards department recommend that people never give out their financial details to cold callers and that if they are unsure on the legitamacy of door to door charity fund raisers then to ask them for identification and not to be afraid to make a call to confirm they are legitimate. Alternatively they could ask them to call back later when they have made some enquiries or turn them away.

Rob Sexton, Head of Trading Standards and Services, said: "Whoever these scamsters pretend to be, they only have one aim, to get your bank or credit card details to take money from your account.”

"By the time you find out that the money has gone, the scamsters will have disappeared as well."

Rob added, "Our advice is simple. Never give out your financial details to anyone who contacts you unsolicited. You wouldn't give your bank details to a stranger who approached you in the street, so view people who turn up at your door with the same suspicion".

"I would recommend that if people are keen to donate to a charity to do it by contacting the charity directly."

Iain McCracken, Executive member for Bracknell Leisure, Corporate Services and Public Protection, said: "We know these conmen make it difficult for anyone to trace their whereabouts when investigations take place. Therefore it is vital that the public take heed of our warning and be on their guard."

Bracknell Forest Council