This is the warning from East Sussex Trading Standards Service which has received a number of complaints about a company called Kosta Ltd.
The company’s leaflet asking for clothing donations implies that the company is a charitable organisation, but when approached by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) last year asking them to justify this claim, they failed to respond. This resulted in the ASA upholding a complaint against them.
Further inquiries at Companies House also show that the company ceased to exist in November last year.
Commenting, Lead County Council Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Councillor Bob Tidy, said: "This is the third company this year that trading standards officers have warned about. It’s yet another example of people appearing make a profit out of the generosity of East Sussex residents. The donated goods are sold on for a profit and unfortunately genuine charities are missing out.
"We would encourage people to check if a charity is genuine by calling the charity commission on 0870 3330123 or visit their website at www.charity-commission.gov.uk, or alternatively donate goods to the established charity shops.”
Reference:
04/405/JW
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