Re: charities

I agree. Recently an indigenous organisation rang me asking for a regular donation I told them I would like to donate but just once and they seemed happy with that.

I donate to a couple of overseas charities who try to get regular donations (you can understand their thinking) but I only donate a one off donation they don't seem to mind.

Re: charities

I donate £2 per month to the WWF and have adopted a Bengal tiger by the name of Kamrita and I pay by direct debit. The only other communication I've had from them is by email which costs nothing.

Giving your bank details for direct debit isn't a problem because nobody can take money from your account without the bank asking for your permission or signature, as in paying by DD to the water board, or energy supplier; but, if you give your direct debit/credit card number then you're asking for trouble.

Be careful of bogus "charities" as well who purport to be genuine charity organisations. If they're real, then they will have their registered charity number on their packing things. If it doesn't have this, then it's more than likely to be Eastern Europeans wanting you to bag up your stuff for selling on at boot sales etc for their own profit.

Re: charities

I take my contribution directly to a charity that supports poverty and the homeless in my city. It's in the form of food donations and no one is paid for their time or efforts. 100% of the donations go directly to feed whoever needs a meal. I am not contributing to a charity that has overpaid executives, who take the lions share of contributions.

Re: charities

I know that if they collect via DD, they can claim extra tax relief on the donation (not sure why though) but I still wouldn't give out my details to some random person on the street!