Monday, February 12, 2007

Helpmate Limited

This is a bit of a warning for you. This morning I recieved this flyer through our letterbox. My first thought was "oh that's great, I've got loads of old clothes to get rid of".



But then I noticed a couple of things; "Company Registration No. 5780892", not a charity registration number? "Helpmates Limited is a commercial collectin company who provides people in third World countries with clothes for their families they can afford." Apart from the lack of grammar, this subtly points out that they take clothes from us for nothing, and SELL THEM to poor families in the third world. Maybe they do sell them "cheap" but that's really got nothing to do with it. Plenty of charities just collect these things and give them to needy people for free, they don't need to make a profit aswell. Even more hilariously, it finishes at the bottom with "God will reward you for your good hearts". Surely if heaven is reward enough, they don't need to be making a fucking profit on it aswell! "God will reward us, but I'd better exploit some more people just in case".

This is an absolute digrace, and obviously you should make sure you have nothing to do with them, and send your old clothes to a valid charity. I tried phoning Helpmates Limited but obviously they didn't answer the phone, here's their number if you fancy trying again: 01708230027, although It's probably just a phone in an empty office somewhere...

This isn't the first time they've tried it either. The articles also point out that this company is run by lithuanians, dunno what thats about.

65 comments:

Anonymous said...

We have also just received a leaflet through our letterbox this morning entitled THIRD WORLD CLOTHING COLLECTION. A brightly blue coloured leaflet that looks good on first glance but then I got thinking it doesn't look a legitimate company the leaflet is too crowded with writing and we have never seen them around before.
I google the company and they have been around before under many different names. So we won't be sorting out clothes etc to give to a charity/company that is obviously illegitimate so I warn you if you do receive one of these leaflet throw it away and give to a more deserving, well known charity in your local area. they dont even provide a bag they just say please leave "plastic bags" with the leaflet stuck to it what a JOKE!

Anonymous said...

I have just received one of these leaflets in Carlisle, Cumbria and thought it looked suspicious so I looked them up and found your comments. I will not be giving them my unwanted clothes. I shall be saving them for local charities that I know.

Anonymous said...

apparently it was featured on bbc 1 as a scam fdkvpw

Anonymous said...

I have just had one of these leaflets 10 minutes ago. I also thought I would check them out just as others have. And no I wont be leaving anything out. I work for a cancer care charity shop only a small one compared to the Big charities. We provode day release and counselling and know how much we need donations for the work that is provided to patients, their families and carers for no charge whatsoever also watch out for a white leaflet, same thing they sell on to third world countries. but they also came collecting the doorstep donations left out for the British Heart Foundations, If it is,nt a charity you dont know dont leave anything. If in doubt, throw the leaflet out.

Anonymous said...

i live in Rugeley, Staffordshire & have just had this leaflet through my door. As with the others who have commented on this page I thought "great I'll get rid of those bags of clothes that are sat down the cellar" then I thought I'd just check it out first & I found this - thanks for the heads up.

Anonymous said...

We just got one in colwyn bay, north wales.

What gets me, is that they not only have the cheek to sell the clothes you give them for FREE, but they make no effort in giving you a bag / box to put them in. I know thats only a small point, but it means the difference between effort and, well, no effort =o/

these guys can bite my ass, they aint getting a damn thing from me.

Gene.

Anonymous said...

Hi all
I just received one of those takky leafletts and im in anlaby (hull)

As many others did i decided to do some digging around rather than just bagging things up, im soooooo glad i did. There are so many deserving charritys out there that actually need our help and it takes the piss that some people exploit peoples generosity.

I have a good mind to fill this bag with the remains of our clinical waste bin at the residential home i work in, maybe that will give them something to think about. ( oooh yea theres no bag to fill!)

Anyway im not going to rise to there levels, GOD WILL REWARD YOU my arse. If your a good person u dont need rewarding, you do what you can to help others because your decent. UNLIKE THE TWATS SENDING OUT THESE LEAFLETS.

Toni (ANLABY)

anarki said...

Glad to see people are finding this post and not giving Helpmate anything. Wierdly this is the most read post on my blog by a long way :)

Anonymous said...

More worringly around our way the same leaflet arrives a day or two after a legitimate charity have distributed their collection bags - and Helpmats Limited are "coincidentally" collecting the same day.
Decided to report this to the local police and the charity concerned.

Anonymous said...

Not being as sensible as the rest of you, I put my bag out last week as requested & it's just sat on my doorstep since then. No reply from tel.no on leaflet, so I won't bother again - what bugs me is that it puts people off donating to legitimate charities

Anonymous said...

Just watch cos they have changed the leaflet to an orange coloured one now. It says Clothing Collection 'Save and Recycle'. Still same charity number for Helpmates Ltd. It also says UNWANTED CLOTHES URGENTLY NEEDED. I nearly fell for this one, but I always check registered numbers before donating. DON'T DO IT - GIVE IT TO A MORE WORTHY CAUSE. (SOMEONE WHO DOES REAL CHARITY WORK THAT OTHERS CAN BENEFIT)

Anonymous said...

One arrived today in Bicester - " Third World Clothing Collection" in blue - collection on Wednesday - yes ant it's the same day as Kidney Research UK will be collecting - what a scam....

Anonymous said...

I am in Cumbria (Seascale) and have just received a leaflet from Helpmates Ltd. Due to the rather strange wording of the leaflet I did a Google search and found this webiste and am glad I did.

I am infuriated by the people that have done this. The only people they are helping them are themselves and that is wrong.
I intend to call the police now and report the organisation as I think they will try and collect legitimate charity bags that are left on doorsteps.

dawny said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dawny said...

Hi just had a leaflet through the post from Helpmates Ltd same cahrity number now a red and white leaflet they are now saying they help provide work in the UK for export and factories. I live in the heanor area of derbyshire and the leaflet says they are going to collect friday its disguisting that nothing can be done to stop this scam.

Stanley said...

Today I have also received a bright blue leaflet from this, so called 'Company' and noticed it is not a registered charity! Thank you for pointing out that this Third World Clothing Collection is NOT A CHARITY, I will be passing this information on to my neighbours. Stanley

Anonymous said...

I have also just received an orange leaflet- terrible grammar and many errors are what made me suspicious. Also, the term 'third world' isn't even used anymore as we don't have a third world! (communist countries were the second world) You would think if they are going to do a scam they would do it properly!

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say thanks for posting this, after receiving the above flyer through the door and having doubts about it, I googled 'Helpmate Limited' and found your post. I soon realised I was right to have doubts and now won't feel guilty about ignoring it. I won't let it put me off donating to genuine causes though, cheers!

Anonymous said...

I stay in Glasgow and have just received a leaflet from them. It's blue and white with a polythene bag inside. Looks like they are still operating the same scam with just a different look to it !!
From other comments posted here these people seem to be very well organised and able to operate over large distances in the UK....

naughtynurse said...

i received one of these leaflets this morning and only checked it on the internet because i had nothing else to do. i'm in sheffield by the way.

Anonymous said...

I used to run a company called Helpmates Ltd - a cleaning business that I closed some years ago. Unfortunately we've recently been getting hate mail targeted at this scam company - can you please double check the address you are using if you intend to do this, as some of it is quite upsetting, and not meant to be sent to us! The Companies House website shows the company to be based in Hornchurch - please make sure it goes to them, not to us. Many thanks.

Anonymous said...

This is Helpmates address
Number 05780892
Name HELPMATES LIMITED
Registered
Address 48 Petworth Way
Hornchurch
RM12 4LR

A private address in Hornchurch Essex

Anonymous said...

If you receive unsolicited material such as this, use your right to “return to sender”.
Note this address, stamp not required ...
HELPMATES LIMITED
48 PETWORTH WAY
HORNCHURCH
RM12 4LR

Anonymous said...

got one through the door a few days ago in Alexandria, Scotland. I've had them before and always thought something wasn't right so gave them nothing, this time I looked it up and found these posts

Christina said...

And they are still going, just got one of those blue leaflets in our letterbox in London claiming "we urgently need clothing" - right, in order to make good money out of it!

Anyways, I'm glad I came across this blog post (and other posts) warning me about them.

BTW, in their most recent flyer they got rid of the "God will reward you" line.
Instead they now stress how their activity "provides business for UK export, [..]. It provides employment in the UK factories grading the clothes."

How many people are behind this company I wonder?
And how rich do they get?

Anonymous said...

these people are theives! they came in to my garden and stole my property! the police are telling me this is not a police matter! its a fake company and fake number!

Anonymous said...

Just got the leaflet through my door in Leeds, West Yorkshire. These people are criminals

Anonymous said...

Just done a search with companyhouse and found that the company is registered to the following address:

HELPMATES LIMITED
48 PETWORTH WAY
HORNCHURCH
RM12 4LR

A streetmap view on this finds that it is someone's house!

Anonymous said...

Done a google search on this, and here's what I got:

Company name - HELPMATES LIMITED
Company incorporation date - 02/06/2000
Registered Number: 04006784 - Registered at Companies House on 02/06/2000
Type of business: Other service activities not elsewhere classified
Address: BARLEY HEIGHTS
LONG SUTTON
HOOK
HAMPSHIRE RG29 1TA
RG29 1TA

Find companies newly incorporated in RG29 1TA
Company Type: Private Limited with share capital ?
Company Status: Dissolved ?

Anonymous said...

additional to post just before this one:

clicked on the streetview link and saw that this actually a pub called "The Four Horseshoes" lol

Anonymous said...

Had one of these in Wrexham, North Wales this morning. These people make me sick! I'll be warning all my neighbours. Should I also report it to the police?

Anonymous said...

got my leaflet Monday 20/09/2010 want to pick up Wed 22/09/2010 As I work for a charity tried ringing no. no answer then googled and found this site.Basically they are trying it out in the Dumfries and Galloway area. Will watch tomorrow and see who picks up my bag tho'it will probably when it is dark

Anonymous said...

Jane Leeds
Just found a Helpmates leaflet through my door. Think I'll walk round the neighbours tomorrow to warn them about these scum bags.

Anonymous said...

Right now they're operating (again!) in the Berwickshire area, just north of the Border. A rural area that unfortunately gets far too many scammers and doorknockers - possibly something to do with a local trading standards dept that's about as much use as mammaries on a male bovine.

Tried warning my neighbours, but no-one's really listening - "They wouldn't be allowed if they weren't genuine!" So let them all get on with it...

Anonymous said...

The Eastern European boy delivering Helpmates' bags even took a British Heart Foundation bag out of my neighbour's letterbox! When I found out I searched the area for him and confronted him....he still had the BHF bag in his hand....not for long though! After I'd confronted him he was immediately on his mobile phone, jabbering away in some foreign tongue.
Their bags worryingly say that they will collect "ALL VISIBLE BAGS", so seeing as the BHF collection is the same days as theirs, there are no prizes for guessing what they'll do.
I've contacted the police about this but they don't seem overly interested. The local BHF shop manager had had the same experience when reporting similar occurrances.

Beit Rehovot Synagogue Scotland said...

These guys are still doing the rounds! I live in East Kilbride, Scotland and we got a leaflet through our door just last week!!!! How the heck are they getting away with it for son long, there's comments going back to 2007!?!??!

Anonymous said...

I have a number of eastern Europeans living a couple of doors away and they collect these charity bags so far as we know they have been reported to the police but to no avail...? they have three vans now and all leave early hours in a morning coming back at tea time with the vans brimming full with various bags some are Red cross, British heart foundation and many more we witness on a regular basis them emptying them into the house but only a few come back out the rest have been seen to be sold on local markets and boot sale's we have reg numbers if anyone is interested.

Anonymous said...

just received a collection bag through my letterbox from Helpmates Ltd reg no. 5780892 they are in Kendal Cumbria area collection Thursday, now using bags not leaflets!! OLD CLOTHES NEW LIVES on front of bag have they moved up market

Anonymous said...

got one today. going to put some rags and dog poo in the bag!!!!liverpool area

Anonymous said...

I live in the Robroyston area in Glasgow and got a bag through my door last Sunday for pick up on the Wednesday. I decided to check them out on the web and what did i find they're not legititmate,why has this been allowed to go on for so long scammers at work claiming to be good samaritans helping needy.

Anonymous said...

just received blue bag.and looked this help mates on internet.Not good reading.Filled it up with my grandsons 2 days worth of nappies.used ones.Ill take clothes to local charity shop

Anonymous said...

Just had a leaflet through the door here in Hereford. They certainly get around the country - all on the move!

Claire Q said...

Just had one here in Aberystwyth - they are at it again.

Anonymous said...

I received one this morning (Glasgow Area) 30th June 2011. It was at 0720 and the young foreign boy was just putting it through my door. He was dressed with the best of clothes and listening to an ipod. Dont even bother contacting the police, they couldnt care less and are more interested in pulling hardworking British citizans over for having a faulty brake light or something which doesnt take much investigating. This is what our country is coming to and the government just keep turning a blind eye to foreign scammers while trying to punish hard working honest British people trying to make a living. Same with the vast majority of "corner shops" ehivch sell out of date food and drink. (Always check the labels")

Anonymous said...

Got a leaflet today in North East Fife. Do they really get much - other than rubbish - to make it worthwhile doing this stuff?

They have been in business since 1996 and even rendered accounts for 2010. I suppose their business is legal even though rather immoral.

Anonymous said...

They're still on the go in the Scottish Borders, as of a couple of days ago and - while I give them nothing - my gullible neighbours just won't be told... "You want be careful what you're saying about people - they wouldn't be allowed to do it if they weren't genuine!" Possibly the reason this area is continually besieged by every time of doorknocking and leaflet dropping scammer.

Of course the real problem isn't that these scammers think they'll get away with it. Judging from my lack of response from police, council and neighbours - they know for a fact they can get away with it!

Richie, Deeside said...

They are still active here in Deeside, poor lad looked strange at me when I gave him the bag back, and told him if he comes down my path again, I will have him for trespass.

Anonymous said...

I live in the chester area and have just received one of these leaflet/bag. decided to check them out and came across lots of information...it appears that they are not a charity please google them yourself and report them to trading standards.
Please give your unwanted items to a known charity in your local area rather than be lining the pockets of this whatever you want to call it/them...thank you!!

StephP said...

Just got one through my door this week. Disgusting! I'm glad I googled them, as I've heard of scams like this before. And the leaflet is exactly the same as the one in the picture!

StephP said...

Oh, I'm in Liverpool, by the way.

Anonymous said...

As from October 2011, this lot are operating in Edinburgh. Re comment about police not being interested, if enough complain they will have to do something. This company is stealing property being donated to charity organisations, therefore they have no legal entitlement to the goods. If you have left the clothes out for them, however, then they are entitled and you can't complain. They may have deceived you, but difficult to prosecute in these circumstances. If this company has entered your property and taken something that belongs to you or that you have left for a legitimate charity, then this is theft.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There is another company doing a similar thing, deceiving the public that they are a charity. This company has large dark green containers deposited in supermarket car parks and aske for donations of old clothes. They usually have information about a charity, SAVE THE CHILDREN, for example on the front of the container, making you think that the clothes you donate will go to this charity. THEY DO NOT. This is a commercial business and they are making massive amounts of money by taking your donated clothes and SELLING them abroad. Don't get fooled by this and donate your items direct to charity shops. This company is conning the public for their own selfish gain.

Anonymous said...

Just got one. I live in Preston Lancashie

Anonymous said...

Just found these leaflets in my building, they didn't even bother putting them through the doors, just left them on the bottom stair. These people should be stopped!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Live in Falkirk area,got a leaflet thru door very early today. Like many others, I had feeling this wasn't genuine and went online to check it out. One of the giveaways was the 'charity' asking for donations of perfume on their list !

Anonymous said...

I got one in Bathgate on Thursday. It was the 'God will reward for your good hearts' that caught my attention - charities never use guilt trip tactics! They're a disgrace!

Sue said...

Thanks to this have confirmed my suspicions of one I received today - will leave dog poo for them !! Birkdale, Southport

Anonymous said...

I have also received a leaflet,surely there must be a way of stopping these despicable people?

Anonymous said...

These scam artists must be very successful , as this thread began in 2007 and I have just had a bag through my door in Chester February 2012 , company number 5780892 and telephone number 01708 855659

Wendy said...

I also live in Chester and have had a bag posted through my door today 9th March 2012.
Annoying thing is, he didn't walk up the path but cut across grass knocking over a stone bird bath into my car door, damaging it!!
The damage to my car is very bad.
I didn't realise it wasn't a registered charity till I tried to find them on the internet to report the damage to my car.
I am absolutly fuming, so if anyone does know how to contact them, please let me know.. Thanks

Anonymous said...

Yep received one of these things today (19th March 2012) and thought I would check online and there it is A SCAM...wont be putting out my clothes to this one

Anonymous said...

'nuf said! Thieving bastards. I will now take my old clothes out of my white easy rip bag and place them into the rubbish along with all my household waste.

Anonymous said...

We got leaflet in Troon today and Googled it as thought it look suspicious. Wont leave them anything and will tell my neighbours.

Unknown said...

I live in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. I trade in used clothes in ukraine15 years. Found on the Internet this beautiful forum. I also found a package of clothes a flyer. The clothes in this package was good. From the reviews, I realized that this is not a true collector party charity. And I will be grateful if someone can help me to contact the real owners of charity. My emayl: nava2002@ukr.net
PS I want to thank you all for charity. In Ukraine, a lot of people because of your charity can buy nice clothes for a low price

Anonymous said...

We got a leaflet in Greenock again today, and again I will not be giving them anything. My old clothes go to well known local charity shops.

Anonymous said...

I to have just received a leaflet and like all others decided to check it out what a disgrace,yes it is hard to stop people like this .But why don't we all leave a sealed bag for them but instead of clothes etc fill the bag with trash,trash for trash people