Fundraising or charity calls are common and most of the time completely legitimate. Many charities such as Battersea Dogs have telephone campaigns asking for donations.

Calls that originate from agencies calling on behalf of charities, or directly from them are sometimes unsolicited. Scammers have been known to call and use a name that sounds similar to a well-known charity. If you give your credit card details over the phone in order to pay a donation, the scammer will be able to use this information to empty your bank account.

When a charity calls that you think is a worthwhile cause and you would like to donate to, hang up and research their website or contact details on your own. You will be able to donate directly to the charity without the risk of exposing yourself to a possible scam. Donating directly to the charity will ensure all the funds are going directly to them. Charities that outsource their donation campaigns will have to pay a fee or commission to the agency.