The Charity Commission has issued a warning that some people have been telephoned by individuals claiming to be from the Charity Commission and demanding payment for services or outstanding debts. They warn:

It is important to be clear that:

• Any call from someone claiming to work with or on behalf of the Charity Commission, and claiming any payment in a threatening way, is clearly bogus;
• The Charity Commission does not charge for any of its services to charities; it does not get involved in debt collection either directly or through contracting third parties to do so, and nor does it collect debt on behalf of charities;
• You should immediately report these sorts of incidents to the police, and the Charity Commission would also like to be informed where its name is being used for suspected fraudulent purposes.

They go on to say:

Our advice to charities is:

• When you speak to any member of staff from the Commission they will always be prepared to give their name, telephone number and email address;
• Commission email addresses always end with the domain name @charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk;
• Check the number of any suspect caller against the direct dial telephone codes for our offices; these are London 0207 674…, Liverpool 0151 703…, Taunton 01823 345… , Newport 01633 2255…