Be wary of scam warns councillor

That's the question asked by Councillor Charlie Clark who contacted the Observer to voice his concerns over plastic bags left with householders for unwanted clothing.

Now he wants to warn other householders to be aware that their donation of clothing might not go to charity at all.

Charlie had a bright blue bag put through his door in Kinver Lane and tried to contact the Helping Arms charity named on it.

He was unable to get through and thinks that the charity does not exist - he checked and claimed it does not have a registered number.

Charlie commented: "I am very concerned about companies who put plastic bags through peoples' doors - I think a lot of them are scams.

"It is taking advantage of peoples' goodwill.

"I want to warn people to be very wary - I am not convinced this is a genuine charity - although there are genuine charities which do this - and sometimes they collect the clothes, clean them up and sell them somewhere. This kind of scam is despicable."

Anyone with doubts or queries should contact Trading Standards on 01323 418200.