The Fundraising Regulator has confirmed it has received over 150 complaints from members of the public in the first two months of its existence

Over 150 complaints about charitable fundraising have been made to the Fundraising Regulator since it officially launched in July.

The body, which investigates complaints about fundraising in England and Wales as well as that of national charities which operate in Scotland, confirmed it is “well advanced” in its first major investigation,

Interim chief executive Stephen Dunmore said the regulator was looking in to allegations made in the Sun about the fundraising agency Neet Feet.

In the first two months, we have received more than 150 complaints from the public

The newspaper accused some of the agency’s fundraising employees of targeting vulnerable and elderly people as well as ignoring ‘No cold calling’ stickers.

Dunmore said: “In the first two months, we have received more than 150 complaints from the public, and we are well advanced with a major investigation into the Sun’s allegations about Neet Feet, a fundraising agency.”

The Fundraising Regulator took over the role of the Fundraising Standards Board on July 7, 2016.

In Scotland, charities have committed to self-regulation.

An independent fundraising panel is to be formed, comprising members of the public, donors, fundraisers, the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and the Scottish Government, to enforce standards that all charities will be expected to stick to.

This is supported by Scottish Fundraising Complaints a free phone line and website created to help the public raise complaints.