Big issue sellers are often taxied around in very nice cars by people who run little teams of them, it was well known when I lived in N Devon that ours were brought over from Bristol.
Of course charities advise people to donate to them and not to beggars, they make a living from the charity and very often a handsome living too.
I despair of charities now having worked, paid and unpaid for several over the years. My local hospice shop, which told staff to 'work harder' had employed a CEO who wasn't who he claimed to be at all and has recently gone to prison for that. The well renumerated HR people and board who interviewed and appointed him still have their jobs.
Try to do the good closest to you, that way you do at least know where the benefit ends up. I say 'sorry no' to beggars, but I do take people who are known to me as homeless and house them with me, until they get back on their feet. I took one who was on licence from prison last year, someone I had known for a while and I am happy to report so far, so good for him.
I do vol. work for causes in the village where I live and if everyone did what was closest to them personally, then charities and their astonishing 'overheads' would have to become more frugal, and money and help would reach those who needed it most.
Beggars are fast becoming a plague in city centres and it is intimidating to be approached, especially with a leaflet asking for money. Begging is against the law and I view it now as a petty crime and weigh it up against other crimes, wuld I be so happy to supprt them, littering for instance?
For me the answer is no and I am confident that I do my bit for people who are struggling.