Charity scam relies on donations

People are reminded to donate only to legitimate charities

People are being warned about donating unwanted clothing to unknown parties after some items were sold on to line the pockets of private firms.

Trading standards officers in Bury St Edmunds publicised the scam when Hilary Bracegirdle rang them after receiving a leaflet in her letterbox.

The "charity" turned out to be a private, profitmaking concern.

Suffolk Trading Standards now says that if people want to donate items, they should contact the charity themselves.

Their office also keeps a list of charities which are cleared to collect items door-to-door. Some of the appeals are legitimate.

Ms Bracegirdle said: "Sometimes a charity is mentioned, like Great Ormond Street, but on this one a charity wasn't listed and that's what really got my goat.

"That is why I felt so strongly that I needed to find out who was behind it."

Roger Hopkins, from Suffolk Trading Standards, said: "We've had a number of complaints concerning businesses who appear to be operating on behalf of charities collecting clothing for donations, when in fact they're collecting them to sell on for their own profit."