Investigation blames staff errors for blunder which saw charity having to refund millions to supporters
Discipinary action has been taken against charity staff whose errors saw supporters being charged 100 times the amount they had pledged to give.
In May, international poverty charity Concern Worldwide had to issue a grovelling apology and promised to refund tens of thousands of people who were caught in the cock-up.
A blunder led to 24,700 of its direct debit supporters being overcharged by 100, meaning that a monthly £5 pledge became £500.
Accountants Deloitte have carried out an investigation and found the error was caused by the incorrect use of a new Bacs direct debit system.
We are very sorry indeed for the upset it caused to our donors
Investigators found the system had not been properly tested.
It is understood that disciplinary action – the nature of which has not been specified – is now underway involving a number of staff.
Following the blunder, the charity found itself having to refund millions of pounds – all of which it did promptly.
Deloitte made recommendations to prevent similar incidents Concern says it has accepted these in full.
Rose Caldwell, executive director of Concern Worldwide UK, said: "This has been an extremely unfortunate incident and we are very sorry indeed for the upset it caused to our donors, who we value hugely. We’ve now taken the necessary steps to ensure that mistakes like this are unable to happen again."
