WARNING – New ‘CHARITY’ scam A company that claims to collect unwanted goods for people in the Third World has been targeting homes in west Wiltshire. Helpmates Ltd have posted flyers asking residents to leave bags of unwanted items of clothing, towels and cosmetics outside their doors on a specified day, so they can be sent to people in developing countries. Collections in parts of Melksham were due to be made on Thursday. However, the company is unlicensed to collect for charities and as such there are no controls on where the donations go. This means items can be sold on for profit by the people behind the operation. Intelligence suggests that the perpetrators of this scam are now extending their operations to the Midlands and other areas, so BEWARE. DON’T GET CAUGHT.