Liberal Democrat councillors are warning of a bogus charity operating in the Hornsey area, after one of their leaflets was spotted by a Lib Dem deliverer while out leafleting last week (4th October).

The organisation, Kosta Ltd, is a London registered company known by trading standards in Haringey and other parts of the country from Gloucestershire to Rotherham , all of whom warn of the ‘bogus charity’ and its request to:

“PLEASE HELP THOSE WHO REALLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT! CLOTHING COLLECTION. We will be grateful if you could kindly donate your unwanted clothes, paired footwear and household linen … Many thanks from KOSTA LTD”. (Quote taken from Lewisham Trading Standards website)

Lib Dems say that Kosta Ltd is believed to operate from abroad and to not be a registered charity. No area trading standards team has been able to verify whether it donates the clothes to a registered charity. As a result all complaints about the company have been upheld.

Cllr Gail Engert says that residents need to be aware of who they are donating clothes or money to. She says that by following advice from trading standards, residents should be able to ensure that their donations go to the right people.

Cllr Gail Engert comments:

“Leaflets for clothing collections from genuine registered charities will always include the organisation’s full name, address and a charity registration number, which can be checked on the charity commission website.

“I hope that this does not discourage generous residents in Haringey from donating to charity.It is more a reminder to ensure that the profits from the goods you are donating are going to those who really need help and not into someone’s pocket.”

Anyone who wants to check if a charity is genuine can ring the Charity Commission Contact Centre on 0870 333 0123 or visit their website at www.charity-commission.gov.uk.