Oxfam collector at door asking for my bank details?

[JG1965]

Hi

Has anyone else heard of an Oxfam collector asking for your bank details?
I had a woman at my front door asking for a donation, I said if she gave me an envelope I would give something but she replied that she was not allowed to take donations but if I would like to donate something she could take my bank details but I said I would rather not and she left.
Next day I checked with my local Oxfam shop and the manger said she would telephone the Head Office to check but that was two weeks ago and she has not heard back from them.
Can anyone tell me if this was genuine or a scam because if it is a scam Oxfam should be warning people.
It sounded like a scam to me, if it wasn't I don't think Oxfam should be asking for people's bank details at the front door.
Thanks.

[Greedyfly]

I had a NSPCC one a few weeks ago, same thing asking to set up a direct debit. I told them that if I wanted to donate I would do it online!

[boxtops]

Phaw, tell 'em to clear off! I think you ought to notify your local police.

[treetops1]

This is what they all do now/Red Cross as well. I bet these collectors wouldn`t give you there details.I complained to the Red Cross after one came at 9 one night. He said if you can`t aford to give to charity you must be a sad case. The lady I spoke to on the phone said "he needs more training"

[Greedyfly]

Treetops - the bloody cheek!

[craft1948]

I donate by direct debit to the NSPCC and was first approached by phone. He wanted me to give him the details over the phone but I refused and requested a form. The form duly arrived, apparently they ask for details by mouth to keep costs down.

[Greedyfly]

Mine actually asked me if I were a student first - maybe if I said yes I wouldn't have got the sales patter?

I do donate to charity but I won't to someone who knocks on my door at 7pm

[boxtops]

our local vicar said a few years back that if people didn't donate to Christian Aid week, they were (in effect) hopeless ungenerous cases. What a cheek, I give to several charities but I like to give to ones I choose, not to be bullied into it.

[craft1948]

They all prefer direct debit nowadays as if you're a taxpayer you can assign the tax to them as well, at no extra cost to you.

[boxtops]

Agree craft, I gift aid any charity donations but I wouldn't give bank details to someone at the door, or to a chugger in the street

[ttfn]

hear hear boxy. big sis was almost mugged by a wheelchair-user charity collector in Salisbury and she politely tried to explain that his charity was not one of the five she supported but wished him well in his collection. some people can't take 'no' though and he chased her doing wheelies to get in front of her again. he tried 3 times to get money off her. she is more scary looking than I. she probably would have laid him out
were he not in his chair!

[hc4361]

Yes, it's perfectly legitimate and it is because of gift aid. They get more money than you actually donate.
Would you be happy to give them a cheque? All your bank details (and signature) are on cheques.

[wildwood]

Never give to door callers or phone canvassers. It is unlikely that half of your actual donation will end up where it should. Genuine volunteer collectors are now few and far inbetween and the charity begging is a flourishing and profitable business. It is quite legal for collection organisations to deduct their costs.

Give by sending a cheque or bank transfer direct to the charity you wish to help.

[rowanwitch]

The collectors are paid usually by the number of people they sign up. the charity benifits by a ) having a regular income stream which once started is unlikely to be stopped as the monthly amount is so small, B) having your details on the database so they can regularly harass you for more, C) they can sell on their list of contributors hence if you sign up for say RSCPA you will soon get calls/letters from PDSA, cats protection, Worldwide fund for nature etc At some point it will filter down to the bottom feeders and scammers

People get caught out by the boxes with the do not use my info clauses they are often worded so you have to tick one for them not to send you more info etc and the next one which is about third parties is the opposite so you are more likely to tick both giving them permission

[woofgang]

Last Christmas we donated to the Sally Ann. We got a nice thank you letter and no follow up begging whatsoever, which found refreshing and made me more likely to do it again this year.

[redman41]

A door step caller asking for your Bank details ! I would have told anyone who asked that to f-off. Never ever give out any details to total strangers or over the Telephone.
Treat it as a Scam !

[Graham__2]

Idiots! This is the most efficient way for funds to be raised by charities as there is no outlay and fundraiser are only paid per donor so no sign ups ..... No pay!
Account number and sort codes are non sensitive information and the agents if they are genuine can be verified through a phone number on there badge.
I see this site is generally populated by "door slam happy" idiots who have no idea of the effectiveness or the reason why door to door sales are used.
Any door to door fundraiser will also carry 3 letters, 2 from the charity and one code of practice which you can ask to see at any point.
Oh and finally the police and council are always notified when a door to door sales campaign is in practice.
One sales agency I am aware of after researching generated £13 million pounds for the red cross with the red cross paying £1.6 million for the donors.
Tell me that isn't effective!!!!

[xxjeaniexx]

It is perfectly safe and legal. I work as a charity fundraising and we raise amazing amounts of money for various charities including oxfam. We as fundraisers cant do anything with these details which would be sort code and account details thats why you have the direct debit gaurentee. It is the 16 digit number that is the sensitive details which you should never give to a stranger who knocks your door. Jeanie charity fundraiser

[xxjeaniexx]

Your sort code and account number are safe to give, this was probably a genuine fundraiser, i do the same job and you are covererd by the direct debit gaurentee. nver give the long number 16 digits as this is the sensitive number which people can use to defraud you. Please remember that charity fundraisers work in all weathers to help people less fortunate than themselves and 99% are genuine. They shoud have id and a number you can call if in doubt. Regards Jeanie Proud Fundrsiser Liverpool

[Davoovad]

Come knocking on my door at 9pm and i'll kick you up the garden path !

[will138]

i work in door to door fundraising, the only reason for the bank details is because it is illegal to take money at the door. the bank details you give isnt sensitive information. how many cheques have you given out in the last year?? well, anyone you given a cheque to also has your bank details, because at the bottom of every cheque is the A/C no. and sort code which only identifies the address of the bank. the sort code can be googled either way. nobody can take money out of your a/c with this information unless you give the permission but im sure you read everything before you sign it and you get a copy of the document. this form then goes through the bank and the police to prevent fraud. getting bank details is the only legal way of registering to the charity. you are protected by the data protection act which means all of the information you have given will be kept confidential and you also have a direct debit guarantee with all charities. aswell as that you are actually the one that has total control, all you have to do is cancel your direct debit online or over the phone if you're not comfortable continuing with the donation. i hope this helps.