Assalamualaikum,
I hope you’re having a beautiful Juma’ah. It’s me again.
Today’s topic is not only insightful but also somewhat ironic when you think about it. We’ve all encountered scammers in one way or another, specifically online scammers. It’s a modern-day pandemic, and it’s disheartening to consider that people would exploit charity for their deceitful purposes. Sadly, this is all too common.
Today, I want to share a story about someone I know who fell victim to a so-called online charity foundation scam.
A friend of mine stumbled upon a Twitter page soliciting funds to save the life of a severely ill woman. The post included not only pictures of the hospital’s price estimates but also images of the patient herself. Being the compassionate person they are, they promptly copied the account number and made a donation, believing they had offered help to someone in dire need.
A few weeks later, when they had almost forgotten about it, they came across another post. To their astonishment, they saw the same picture of the woman they thought they had helped, but now with a different illness and a different name. Confused, they checked the initial account, only to discover that it had been deleted. When they inquired with others, they realized this wasn’t the first time such a scam had occurred.
This incident underscores the importance of being cautious about the people we trust, especially on social media. While we are encouraged to give to charity, it’s crucial, especially in today’s world, to ensure that our contributions reach the right hands. I will share a few lessons and tips on how to ensure your Sadaqah reaches those in genuine need.
Insights and Lessons to Be Learned:
1. Research, Research, Research: Never let excitement cloud your judgment. Take the time to verify the legitimacy of any charity organization before hitting that “Donate Now” button.
2. Trust Your Instincts: If something seems off or too good to be true, it probably is. Stay vigilant and keep your scam detectors on high alert.
3. Spread the Word: Share your experiences with friends and family to raise awareness about online charity scams. Together, we can create a safer online giving community.
When donating online, take these precautions to ensure your donation is secure and reaches the intended recipient:
1. Verify Legitimacy: Research the charity to ensure it is legitimate and reputable. Look for reviews, ratings, and information about their mission and impact. If it’s on social media, make sure the account is legitimate.
2. Use Secure Websites: Donate only through secure websites with “https://” in the URL and a lock symbol in the address bar or their official applications. This ensures your personal and financial information is encrypted and protected.
3. Be Cautious with Personal Information: Be mindful of the information you share while donating. Avoid providing unnecessary personal details and share only the required information for the transaction.
4. Use Trusted Payment Methods: Stick to trusted payment methods such as credit cards or reputable online payment platforms.
5. Keep Records: Save confirmation emails or receipts of your donations for future reference and as proof of your contribution for unforeseen circumstances.
Most importantly, remember that if you ever feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to step back and conduct further research.
I hope you’ve gained valuable insights from this, and if you can unfortunately relate to the story shared, please share your experience with us too. May Allah bless us and grant us the ability to give even more than we already do.
Warm regards,
Paysabil.
