Was the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society's opt-out for increasing donors' direct debits by £1 a month good practice?

The Guardian covered this issue on 1 April 2006 in "When raising funds raises hackles". It described the charity as "using an 'opt-out' technique which means that unless you write back to the charity, it automatically increases the amount it takes from your account." The increase "was only mentioned on the second page of the promotional leaflet."

Chris Vick, head of marketing at WDCS, says other charities such as RSPB, English Heritage, RSPCA and National Trust use opt-out fundraising. A test mailing to 2,800 donors had generated "only three complaints".

The Institute of Fundraising told The Guardian that "this method can alarm donors who sign up to pay monthly direct debits only to find the figure has increased without their consent."

Howard Lake