"DON'T BE CONNED WHEN IT COMES TO NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS" SAYS PAUL KEETCH MP

5.22.55pm GMT Mon 8th Jan 2007

The New Year means New Year's resolutions and where better to start than by getting rid of your 2006 fashion mistakes and unwanted Christmas presents for charity? But Hereford's MP, Paul Keetch, today warns local householders to make sure their good intentions aren't exploited by bogus charity clothing collectors.

While many of the leaflets pushed through our doors asking for unwanted clothes give the strong impression they are benefiting the poor and the needy, many of them are delivered by businesses who sell our donations and pocket the proceeds themselves.

The MP, via the Charity Commission, offers people in Hereford and Ross-on-Wye these tips to sort the bogus from the benevolent:

• Does the leaflet say the collection is for a registered charity? If so, what is the registered charity number - call 0845 3000 128 or visit the online register of charities at www.charitycommission.gov.uk to check that it's genuine.

• Does it only have a registered company number? This just means that the company is registered with Companies House as a business, not that it's a charity.

• Be suspicious of wording like 'poor families in Eastern Europe/the Third World' - what's the name of the charity?

• Does the leaflet give an address and a landline? Mobile phone numbers or none at all can be a sign the organisation doesn't want to answer questions.

Paul Keetch MP said, "Bogus clothing collectors fool the public and take money from legitimate charities. If you only make one resolution this year, make it carrying out these few simple checks next time a clothing leaflet drops through your letterbox. That way we can sort out the real charities from businesses just out to make a quick buck out of your generosity, and stop charities losing out."

He continues, "If in doubt, take your donations straight to your local charity shop."