Friendly PSA: My Thoughts On Donation Scams · 9:28pm Dec 21st, 2015
Friendly PSA: My Thoughts On Donation Scams
This is a topic that I feel is important to bring up because it might not be something that a lot of people are aware of. There are people out there on the internet who want to scam you for having a big heart and wanting to help them so be careful out there on the web. I have witnessed this in a few of the communities I am part of (anime, brony, furry, cartoon, steampunk, nerd culture, internet techie, etc).
These people pretend to be going through a difficult time and a lot of time they will set up fundraising pages and ask for money. YouTube has become a big platform for these scammers. They infiltrate the pop culture communities, tell some kind of sob story, then ask for money. I see it so often that I can usually spot it from a mile away.
The thing that really makes me upset is that a lot of these people are animators or artists of some kind, and they pretend to have a hard life or something so people will donate to their causes. It is especially upsetting for me as I really was abused for 24 years severely. I've also been abused at most levels of school and the workplace. When people make up stories just to troll online communities of people or to get money, it is like spitting in the face of people who have really gone through these things.
Anyway, based on my personal struggles and life experiences, these types of people make me really upset. Exploiting people's kind hearts or nature is really messed up. And especially if you are doing it for money or just for the kicks of destroying someone's life. Not cool.
Long story short, just be safe out there on the internet. Question people's motives for writing what they do or asking for some kind of financial reward. If it seems like it is fishy, it probably is.
As a clarification, the sites people post fundraisers on are usually safe and secure. It is just that people often infiltrate certain fan groups (like fantasy fans, or anime fans, etc.) and they will build up a community with funny memes, journal entries, etc. Then they will start talking about some problem like a disease or problem at home or etc. and they will start asking people for money. They do fundraisers through GoFundMe or KickStarter or other fundraising platforms and after they have raised the money it usually turns out that they didn't have the problem they said they did. In other words, it was an act to get money from people.
The sad thing is that some people blog for years and get a rather big following of people, then they start asking for donations for something like abuse or whatever they make up, get money from people, then reveal that they were just kidding. But by that time they have already taken money from people. Another example is YouTube. People will build videos around a community (like the brony community for example) then they will start asking for money because of an 'illness'. And they seem legit because they have a YouTube channel but in reality they are just tying to trick people out of their money so they have more money for their creative stuff or to build their channel.
Later they come out and say they were lying, but by that time they have already made a lot of money from their scam. They just open another YouTube and start building a 'clean' reputation for themselves with the money they stole from their fans. It is a really big problem I have seen and something that people definitely have to watch out for.
Interesting, as soon as you posted this blog, I posted my own about supporting somebody who I have been praying for.
But I believe this particular person is legit.
3634492 If someone legitimately needs help (both offline and online), you should definitely help them. But I'm just saying that it is good to make sure that the people you are donating to have real problems. The reason for this is because I've seen a lot of people get scammed over the years by donating to these 'fundraisers' when in reality the people running them just wanted money for their animation projects or other create stuff. So it is always just best to check out all of the facts and make sure that you are giving money to someone who is really in need.
Funny you should say that.
3634503 LOL That video sums up pretty much everything I said in my blog. Except I would add that I have no problem with creative people using crowdfunding for their projects. I myself have a Patreon and tip jar which I put on my sites. I just have a problem with people lying about something they are going through when in reality they aren't going through anything at all. I feel that it is being dishonest to themselves and all of the people who are supporting their work. It's not cool at all.
3634510 And I agree whole heartily simply because of people being used, its a shameful way to make an easy buck and people have been doing it for who knows how long.
3634531 We should post that video as a response to every scammer page.
3634552 That we should.
3634497 I agree.
Truth be told, I think the person that posted the link for donating is a fraud.
It seems to me like things don't fit together, that they were, rather, 'put' together If you know what I am saying.
But in the end, I really don't know.
Cheers mate!
It makes us harder for those of us who DO have legit problems and want legit help. I would have been dead in the water if some friends didn't pass the hat and help me with an insane water bill.
Trust but verify?
Your a furry?!
3634611
3634653 Yeah. The thing that is especially fishy to me is how they want to move to upstate New York. Well why would they want to move to New York if they just need money for a place to stay? That seems a little off to me. But hey. I could be reading to much into it.
3634664 I completely agree with you. I came from an abusive home and my mom and I have been on the run from an abusive family member ever since we escaped that situation a number of years ago. This isn't the only problem I have had over the past six years, but you get the idea. That is why when I see scammers in various fandoms, it makes me really upset.
3634745 Yep. I am a furry. Among other things. :P
3634950 I'm not gonna judge. I'm not gonna judge.
3635861 K den.