By Katie Smyth

DUNDEE HOUSEHOLDS are being targeted by eastern Europeans requesting unwanted clothing to send back to their homelands.

An organisation called Second-Hand Ltd is putting leaflets through doors across the city in a bid to collect clothing, blankets and cosmetics to help families in eastern European countries.

Last night a concerned woman from Ardler contacted The Courier after she received a leaflet from the company.

Evelyn Brown said, “I was actually in the house when the flyer came through the door and I thought it was strange because it didn’t come with a collection bag the way other charities would do it.

“I managed to catch the guy who had posted it but he said, ‘I speak no English’. ”

Ms Brown said she was sceptical as to the nature of the firm, which states while it is not a charity organisation it is a legally registered commercial collecting company.

“I just wonder if this is a genuinely charitable organisation and I think it is very strange.

“This is the only company that has ever asked for underwear or second-hand bath towels. I mean who would ever want to wear knickers someone else had worn?”

Ms Brown added, “I have two severely disabled sons and I usually like to give my old clothes to charities.

“I have a big bag waiting to give away in the house and doorstep collections are usually useful for me but when I read they were looking for perfumes too I just wondered if it was real.”

She said she was worried for the safety of the man who delivered her leaflet as he could not speak English or answer any questions if challenged.

The leaflet also requests residents to part with any unused curtains, blankets, sheets and handbags. It claims donations should be placed on doorsteps with the leaflets clearly attached for collection.

The call-out has also appeared in Broughty Ferry, where a resident who did not wish to be named said, “The leaflet looked like it was from a charity but I read it more closely and realised that it wasn’t.

“It may be all very well for people to earn an income from this business but I think it would be better if the company was non-profit making.

“I’d be quite willing to give them my cast-offs but there’s no indication that someone won’t be making money for themselves out of this exercise.”

While the leaflet says the firm “supplies clothes for the families in eastern European countries and also provides jobs in sorting the clothes for distribution,” the contact details are for a mobile phone only.

All attempts to get in touch with the organisation last night went straight to answer phone, and the mailbox was apparently full so it was impossible to leave any message.