A bogus charity bag company has been prosecuted and fined for for operating without a licence.
SOS Support Limited was taken to court by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards after reports from residents about the authenticity of the company.
The company appeared at Cwmbran Magistrates Court and were prosecuted under the House to House Collections Act 1939 of the delivery of empty bags to homes in the Penpedairheol area.
It was fined £1,000 and was also ordered to pay £608 costs.
Cllr Rob Gough, cabinet member for public protection said: “This issue came to light thanks to reports from local residents, who were concerned that this company was putting genuine licensed charities at a disadvantage.
“The advice our Trading Standards officers would give to residents is to ‘give with care’ – The best way to ensure that deserving causes get the most benefit is if you can, take the goods yourself to the local charity shop or check the wording on the bag. If it claims to be collecting for a registered charity then by law it has to give the charity number.”
The company, which claimed to be collecting on behalf of the ‘Children’s Hearts’ charity, was also reported to have distributed empty bags to homes in the Nelson, Glyngaer and Springfield areas of Caerphilly County Borough.