Facebook Charity Scam

[Craig T]

The creativity of those online looking to take our money astonishing.

Last year my sister set my mother up with a Facebook account, mostly to follow the grandkids. She rarely posts. Her 80th birthday is today. On Saturday my Facebook page has a post from my mother with a link to Autism Speaks, with a "DONATE" link through Facebook Pay. All the Autism Speaks official photos, etc, were there, and this is written...

"Joann's Birthday Fundraiser for Autism - Help Her Reach Her Goal!"

"For my birthday this year, I'm asking for donations to Autism Speaks. I've chosen this nonprofit because their mission means a lot to me, and I hope you'll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me. Anything you can donate — whether it's $5 or $500 — will make an impact."

------------------------

OK, that's strange? My mother worked with cystic fibrosis patients for 40 years, and CF has always been her charity. ...But it looked legit, so I donated $100. Yesterday I get a text from my sister...DO NOT DONATE TO MOM'S AUTISM SPEAKS FACEBOOK LINK!!! It's fraud or she was hacked.

Turn's out, my mother knew nothing about it (should have known. She ALWAYS wants presents). You might think...80 years old, maybe she did and forgot. Not a chance. My mother can still remember every f***ing thing I did wrong back to my 2nd birthday. She runs all the activities at her retirement community. She's sharp as a tack.

I called Amex to dispute the payment. The merchant account was listed as Autism Speaks. That means, somebody did a good job of mimicking them, and the money passed to a different account, or Autism Speaks is using some VERY unethical fund raising practices.

[john70t]

If you 'like' or 'upvote' something in Facebook, doesn't that give them the legal right to use your name/face for advertising to friends?

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Craig T

-snip-

I called Amex to dispute the payment. -snip-

So did Amex get your charge erased?

Kudos to your Mom, BTW....many happy returns to her!

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Baz

So did Amex get your charge erased?

Kudos to your Mom, BTW....many happy returns to her!

Thanks Baz. Yes, Amex was very familiar with charity scams and opened a dispute.

[A930Rocket]

So, do you have a link so we can donate to your moms favorite charity?










J/K!

[Holger]

Another reason I dont use Fakebook at all

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

So, do you have a link so we can donate to your moms favorite charity?




J/K!

Yes! Thank you. She likes to donate Macallan 12, Cohiba cigars, and Titleist ProV1 golf balls. Send me a PM and I'll give you the shipping address to her "favorite charity".

[rockfan4]

I tried finding a similar story via google yesterday and I was unsuccessful.

However I did learn that "Facebook Pay" or whatever takes 5% of whatever you donate. Apparently "Donate your birthday" is a thing.

Facebook wants you to say happy birthday with a donation - May. 5, 2017

[scottmandue]

Call me crazy but I never donate to any charity on the internet or at the supermarket cashier.

When I want to donate to a charity I put a check in someones hand or send the check snail mail.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

I tried finding a similar story via google yesterday and I was unsuccessful.

However I did learn that "Facebook Pay" or whatever takes 5% of whatever you donate. Apparently "Donate your birthday" is a thing.

Facebook wants you to say happy birthday with a donation - May. 5, 2017

I did the same and didn't find anything. I did find however, pages and pages of negative information about Autism Speaks. The recipient was legit, as Autism Speaks. It's the methodology that was suspicious. We're thinking 80 year-old mom "liked" some post from a friend that may have granted permission to AS for the birthday donation. Since FB get's 5%, I'm sure FB isn't to concerned about how transparent the consent authorization is displayed.

[Tidybuoy]

Speaking of Scams and Fraud,

My company gets seemingly constant spam where money is requested for various things. I got a new one yesterday that was very clever.....

My payroll clerk got an email from our "Director of Operations" stating that he had set up a new bank and needed his direct deposit changed. "He" provided routing number and account.

Fortunately, I heard the payroll clerk asking the "real" Director of Operations for a canceled check and to fill out a form. He then stated that he thought he had previously given her these things but that he would re-provide them (basically, falling for the scam).

Me....hearing all this questioned the clerk and asked why she didn't ask for these things when he initially was hired (about a year ago) and she informed me that "he" had just made changes to his banking. He heard all this and stated that he had not made any changes - had our hallway conversations not been overheard, someone would be off with his money.

Of course, this was reported to the bank, with the account info but these spammers get an account opened and use it only once. They rarely get caught since the accounts are set up with bogus info in the first place.

[fastfredracing]

I was talking with my parts guy at advance this morning . His kid is a total deadbeat. He proceeds to tell me, that his son put up on Facebook , something to the effect of " my mother is dying of cancer, please help me take her to a Pirates game before it is too late "
Joe, unknowing of all this, answers the door last night, and some lady shows up with 2 Pirates tickets, and a gift basket for his dying ex wife . She is alive and well, taking child support off him every month.

[vash]

this kinda of crap deserves a special hell.

this is ruining regular good donations. i never give anymore. i simply have zero trust in my heart now.

[Holger]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Call me crazy but I never donate to any charity on the internet or at the supermarket cashier.

When I want to donate to a charity I put a check in someones hand or send the check snail mail.

^this

There is no other route!