Becoming a More Informed and Responsible Philanthropist in 2023

It is a transcending act to give back to society. But it is equally important to ensure that your help reaches the needy. Hence, stay vigilant to ward off possible attempts from deceivers while donating towards a noble cause.

The rise of online medical fundraising platforms in the past decade has lent a helping hand to people world over by empowering them to raise money for various causes. The integration of technology by these platforms has simplified and amplified the fundraising process, making it easy for campaigners and donors to ensure the optimal utilization of their donations. 

However, there could also be instances where miscreants might deceive the donors and the campaign beneficiaries.

Here are some do’s and don’ts to be a more diligent and ‘ informed’ philanthropist. 

• Donate on the fundraising website and not in personal bank accounts of miscreants

A donor should be vigilant about the bank account details shared on social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp when donating to a campaign. It is possible to come across campaign donation links shared by your inner circle and close networks on social media. The details of the campaign may be accurate, but the account details, including virtual bank accounts and UPI, could have been changed while sharing it on social media by imposters. 

Always click on the fundraiser campaign source link available on the crowdfunding website and ensure you donate through the website itself so that the donation reaches the intended beneficiaries, thus warding off the potential of any fraud. If you will not donate via debit/credit card, it’s best to ensure that you donate through virtual bank account details/UPI details available on the online fundraising website source link to ensure that your money will reach the intended beneficiary. 

• Do not get tricked into transferring money to imposters posing as crowdfunding employees

There could be instances where an individual may pose as an employee of a fundraising platform to seek donations by offering attractive schemes. They might lure the campaigner to transfer the entire raised amount into their personal bank accounts in return for receiving an additional percentage of the overall donation sum. Such approaches must be reported to the fundraising platforms on an immediate basis. 

Moreover, fundraising platforms do not accept donations in cash, and all payments are initiated through approved online payment gateways and channels as provided on the online fundraising platform.

•  Don’t fall for miscreants pretending to be donors who seek refunds from campaigners 

A campaigner needs to be cautious during the course of their fundraiser. They might receive calls from individuals pretending to have donated to their cause. e.g. they may pretend to be government officials/police officers, etc. Here, they might claim to have donated an amount greater than they had intended to, and would ask for refunds. Such instances should be immediately reported to the fundraising platforms to avoid getting trapped.  Notably, genuine refund requests can be duly processed by the crowdfunding platforms.

• Scrutinise medical documents carefully and report suspicious activities

There could be instances wherein an individual morphs patient details. For example, someone has morphed the patient’s name from medical documents while retaining every other detail. They would then attempt to create a fake campaign on fundraising platforms. However, with fundraising platforms’ enhanced rigorous due diligence processes, such attempts are avoided.  Physical checks are also conducted by field verification officers sent by some medical fundraising platforms to confirm the authenticity of the documents from the hospital authorities. 

• Refrain from seeking intermediary support 

Campaigners in need of funds for respective causes are often willing to accept any kind of help from anybody who reaches out to them. Individuals may pose as intermediaries and claim to start a campaign on their behalf. They tend to demand a certain amount to register on the false pretext of connecting them with fundraising platforms. It is crucial to know that people can directly create a fundraiser on any online donation crowdfunding platform without the need for an intermediary. These platforms have different pricing plans, including a 0% platform fee to host a fundraiser. Hence, it is time to stay vigilant of such miscreants and their fraudulent activities. 

Never let your generous nature stand in the way of giving back to society solely because of a few miscreants. Be an intelligent and impactful philanthropist!