#tumblr scam

[kowabungadoodles]

How to spot a (heart wrenching sad cat) Charity Scam

So I've been get a lot of requests for money in my askbox lately, from users I have never seen before! Usually sad cats, sometimes gender affirming medical bills, a queer person being made homeless etc etc... and guess what? None of them are real! It's scammers who have learned how to work tumblr's userbase and prey on our general sense of community and charity.

Here it is, so sad! So tragic! But let's note a few things:

It's generic. They don't know me, I don't know them. it's addressed to 'friend', no use of nicknames or usernames.

Even the cat and the problem are generic 'little kitty' who has 'urgent needs'. This is not how real people talk, this is because this scam is being used over and over with different accounts a different 'cats'.

Praying (uh huh.)

Asking you to reply privately- This is so people don't spot the scam and point it out the mark and because if too many people posted replies to the same message it would beome really obvious that this is a scam. If they're looking for 'boosts' so badly, then why do they need you to reply privately?

Now that I'm suspicious, let's investigate.

Sent me an ask and then followed me! Sounds like they're just hitting up anyone and everyone, but even more likely they have a list they're working from.

(I get so many, I'm probably on a mail-out list a mile long, just being hit up for cash. Likely I fell for one of these once and got my name added to every scam list for miles, but oh well.)

So let's see if they're a bot or a real person!

The blog looks genuine enough, they've got a bio, a fandom etc. And it says they're an artist!

And of course there's that sad cat post, pinned right to the top, so I don't have to look any further through the blog for verification... Looks super legit, pics of the cat, pics of the bill... of course anyone can print out a bill and take a picture of it...

As I do scroll futher, it's full of reblogs making this look like an active user. So how can I tell it's not genuine?

Well, if they're an artist they probably post right? Doodles? Pictures? Let's have a look at their origional posts.

The fastest way to do this is by using an outside tool like Original Post Finder.

just type in the suspicious username and go...

Voila! As suspected, the only post this bot account has ever made is Sad Cat Post.

Confirmed: Scam. Do not give your money to these guys, it looks so real but they're just here to make you feel like a bad person for not handing over everything you can. Charity is wonderful, supporting friends is wonderful, but tbh save it for people you actually know irl/ mutuals you have an actual relationship with. Don't believe any rando who comes knocking!

Love and kisses, stay safe out there.

[thechekhov]

Hey guys, it's time for an Internet Safety lesson!

It's been a while since I got one of these messages. It helps that they all use pretty much the same script though!

This is a scam.

Please try to remember how this looks - learning to recognize these patterns is an important tool that will help us later.

This ask is not addressing you by name or directly referencing anything personal - it's meant to be sent out to 100s of accounts and thus must sound generic.

This account has no posts that are older than 23 hours.

The user is requesting payments through paypal, asking to mark it as friend or family, because if you ask for your money back, you will not be able to dispute it as a fraud donation.

The user is stressing keeping this donation drive private because many people recognize this scam and will speak out against it.

If you're worried, please search the #tumblr scam page and feast your eyes upon many other cats in eerily identical medical situations:

Always remember to verify donation drives before you give away money. A person who is actually in need will understand your need to double-check details before donating.

[12percentspider]

Beware: Call your bank if you donated.

These two are run by the same person: a scammer pretending to be in Gaza.

Here is the gofundme being stolen from along with more info:

If you donated to "Nicholas Ochieng", you've been scammed. Paypal will not resolve on their own, due to the scammer instructing people to donate as "friends or family". You would have to dispute it with your bank. [I DID do a search for the name, there are multiple presumably real people by that name who live in... Kenya.]

[sammy8d257]

Greetings to everybody. Could someone please aid me and my little girl with food funds? We have not had something to eat since yesterday afternoon. I am sorry for appearing poor, but aid is required. We don't have enough money to purchase food, so any amount that you can spare will help.

Oh I'm sorry

Did you think I was born fucking yesterday?

I know a goddamn donation scam when I see one. I've been on Tumblr for a LONG time

@glichsworld @chain-draws-stuff I know you guys tagged me out of the goodness of your heart, but you need to know that this post, and posts like it, are in fact scams

Lets go over some evidence shall we?

The blog was made literally like 2 Days ago. You can see when posts are created if you turn on the Timestamp feature in your settings. That in it of itself is not bad BUT THE VERY NEXT POST (if you scroll all the way to the bottom) is a reblog from a PORN BOT SCAM

Every post after it has been either posts from tags that are currently trending or they're reblogs of actually legitimate donation campaigns

2. Heres a helpful tip, copy a line from this ask and put it into Tumblr's search bar and scroll a little bit

Oh would you look at that

The exact same message from an entirely different account. Theres even the extra space between the "I am" and "sorry"

3. Hey news flash scammer, you aren't doing yourself any favors when you literally send me 2 of the same asks DIRECTLY after someone tags me

Yeah, you aren't slick

And the fact you're faking going hunger AND going after minors on Tumblr, is disgusting

Explode

(Glich and Chain, I hope you know that none of this anger is directed at you! I know you did this because you legitimately thought this was a real donation post. I hope you guys have a great day and I hope you learned something new about Tumblr alskdgjls /lh)

[blazingemeraldau]

So I received this ask, and I wasn't sure if this was a scam or not. But, I have a mom who is diabetic and knows how to get insulin.

I told her about it and she asked me to send this link to this person. It had resources for diabetics who need insulin right away.

So I sent a message to this user and lo and behold, they deleted their ask and blocked me (and presumably deleted their tumblr account).

If someone is messaging you or sending asks in your inbox asking for donations or money, UNLESS YOU PERSONALLY KNOW THEM, it is a scam.

For people who actually need insulin, I have a website that directs you to resources that can help!

Please stay safe everyone!

[vintage-tech]

Okay, wait, Tumblr? You have got an issue here.

[This comes up after I post something fresh. I wasn't reading anyone else's page, this one's internal to your system. This isn't in messaging either.]

[delightrolls]

Recently I received this Ask requesting donations: 

I checked the blog and found this Pinned Post:

After searching the Ask and Pinned Post I discovered it was a scam. 

In short:

All the posts including the Pinned Post were made on the same day

Fundraiser Link doesn’t use a proper Crowdfunding site

The same Ask was copy pasted under numerous different blog names

When clarification about the scam tactics used above was requested the blog was deleted

This is a link to the post with the proper evidence.

I searched and found the following blogs using an identical ask:

delicatesublimelizarddy 

dopeprincessduck

enchantingqueencreator 

lovelypurplenacho 

pleasantcollectionlove 

strangeangelwinner

spookypersonasuit 

toosaladgarden 

shinymentalitycandy 

Lucymkira

stickyartisanfan

Additionally I found that this is the image and identity stolen by the scammer:

If you responded to, reblogged, or otherwise interacted with this scammer it is recommended that you report it, delete your reblog of it, warn others who reblogged post or responded to the scammer, and reblog one or more of the How to Spot a Scam post below to inform others.

How to Spot a Scam:

https://www.tumblr.com/delightrolls/748158624623378432/how-to-spot-a-scam

https://you-reblogged-a-scam.tumblr.com/post/681179164889481216/how-to-spot-a-scam 

https://sleepy-bebby.tumblr.com/post/683456911737257984/how-do-i-know-if-this-tumblr-fundraiser-is-a-scam 

https://liminalweirdo.tumblr.com/post/706341432419598336/how-to-spot-a-scam-on-tumblr 

Tagging the following who responded to the Ask and / or reblogged the Pinned Post of this scam blog: @decrepitxangel, @spacedinosaur2000, @forthelostones, @bblookyyy, @sp4rkl3n3pz, @blackmesaswagvoice, @gregthesillyone, @shootingstarssel, @etrevil, @kuchizukeonna, @frequent-apple

[tathrin]

Heyah! I’m very sorry to bother you at this time but I’m hoping if you’d be so kind to check the post that I pinned on my blog and maybe give it a little help by boosting/sharing it? it’s for my cat who struggles to breathe :((( and we need help to get him the tests that he needs. Thank you if you do as it would really mean the world to me and I understand if you don’t, still appreciate you and stay safe! Btw, please do send me a msg to reply or answer the ask privately instead as I dont want other blogs to think im a spambot or what, sorry for asking this, praying you’d consider! 🥲

SCAM ALERT, BLOCK AND REPORT.

[houseofpurplestars]

Please remember to check the list of scam blogs and block and report them! There's several still going so report them so we can get them taken down.

[anominous-user]

Hey, hi! Im really sorry for sending this, i just hope im not overstepping any boundaries as I’m about to ask help which is very important right now :( our cat, Sleepy needs an urgent vet care. She is pain and I can't afford to pay the vet to help her so I'm reaching out to ask for help, I mean even if you can’t help monetarily, reblogging or sharing it would truly mean a lot. She is my daughter’s best friend and she’s all I have left of my mom who passed away last 2021. In case you’d be insterested to help, I have pinned the post on my blog, please try to also answer the ask privately as some people tend to get weird on this stuff. Please send us prayers, be safe. ♥️🙏

Okay, let's get down to this.

>blog only started posting a few days

>no original posts other than the fundraiser, only reblogs from the OPs

>"please try to also answer the ask privately as some people tend to get weird on this stuff"

>Paypal asks to send via friends/family

>Paypal says the recipient is based in the Philippines (PH), but the medical document is from M-20 Animal Hospital, which is based in Midland, Michigan

I hope you explode.

[12percentspider]

MELLOWBIRDCREATOR IS A FRAUD

The header is stolen from Alessandra Olivero, who is a patient with cystic fibrosis.

The campaign seems to have been put on hold, likely due to this scammer having stolen from it.

The scammer has blocked everyone who has called them out, and has made zero attempt to clarify what is going on. They have been doing this under multiple names and accounts, as well as having made multiple paypal accounts that have been terminated- likely for fraud.

Here's some past accounts and scam attempts, including lying about being homeless and needing money for shelter:

[plantdewdrops]

Hi! It's kinda shameful to go this route , but being diabetic person .Now over 6 months my unemployment still pending This has been the worst couple of years of my life. Our house was destroyed in a storm. Then  I am desperately in need for help. I need my insulin to bring my blood sugar back down. It’s $300 That’s all I need. I’m not asking for a windfall, just a little help, please.

Be blessed 💓🙏🙏💓

            DONATE AND SHARE

I'm only answering this because I know a lot of people are falling for this one but:

here's the blog that sent me the ask versus one of the many that look like it that have already been confirmed to be a scam (they even use the same linktree!)

also the glucose meter is a stock image from a Healthline Article

I wish I could tag all the reblogs on the donation post but @gooperterror, @krisandthebluesurgeons, @mariebloodymoreau

[shift-shaping]

Hello there! Just wondering if its okay for you to check the post i pinned and reblog/boost it? Im in desperate need of help im really sorry for coming across your inbox (pls answer this privately) only if its ok 😞 thank you and stay safe

Hi everyone! This is a scam. And a great opportunity to show you all how to find that out.

These types of scams typically take a very specific form:

A blog that's only a few days old follows you. (Check!)

They have a couple reblogs and a blog description to make you think they're real. (Check!)

They send you an ask requesting that you reblog their pinned post, which is a heart wrenching story about a very cute dog or cat that requests donations via paypal (Check!)

They tell you to answer their ask privately (Check!)

The stars have aligned --this is very likely a scam! But the cat is so cute and the story is so sad, how can we be sure this is fake?

You could do a reverse image search on the pictures of the cat, but that doesn't work on more veteran scammers that have learned where to find images that don't show up in a search. In fact, this particular scammer is using the time-tested method of totally co-opting a real person's struggle to bilk money from strangers!

You'll notice there's no Tamie Wilcox mentioned here. The real Felix is at home and doing much better as of July 10th.

The best tactic to take here is to Google the PayPal username. In this case: tamiewlcx

If the Google results look like this, we've got a scammer.

A good rule to follow is to ALWAYS be suspicious of donation posts. I only reblog posts from people I've known and trusted for a long time. It's also a red flag if someone tells you to answer their ask privately.

Could a donation post that asks you to answer privately be real? Sure! That's why it's important to dig a bit deeper. It's tempting to just reblog their post and be done with it, but if you actually want to help the person or animal at the center of a request like this, you need to do your due diligence.

And don't forget to report the account that sent you the ask! Here's how:

(phishing typically refers to a slightly different type of scam, but Tumblr is a garbage website that doesn't have a better option)

This user has unfortunately been doing this for a little while and has made at least $20 if the comments on their pinned post are anything to go by. The real Felix could have used that money instead.

Keep your wits about you!

[witchywitchy]

Hello, I'm from Gaza City because of the war,my house was destroyed. We lost everything,my family and I did not have anything left. We left our homes in search of a safe place and we were displaced three  times to different places to survive, but unfortunately there's no safe place in Gaza. My mother is very sick and she's a kidney failure patient in need of treatment outside. She suffers from LS. Help me and my family to survive. Please, your small donation can make a huge difference. A friend outside Gaza has come in to help me run the donation program so that my mother can be evacuated. My friend Mr. Fred Odhiambo is receiving the donations on our behalf to help us organise how to evaluate Gaza in the next four days

More scammers. Please don't donate nor reblog their GFMs.

[r0semultiverse]

Hello sorry for tagging. I am very sick, my asthma is at its maximum level, my nose freezes, I have no medicine or food. I am in bad shape financially, I am a black disabled, who uses multiple medications, I pay for my food and lodging

Unfortunately I do not have all the resources to keep me safe, that is why I need your help, whatever you can contribute to me will be of great help.

The nose freezes are back! We got a copy paste/AI tumblr scam situation here folks! Check back a few “tumblr scam” or “tumblr scams” tags & you’ll see similar wording.

Just gonna start responding to these so people can look through & see if they’ve gotten the same scam prompts.

[skenisasleb]

Hello its me again asking for help.Am so fucking sorry.You may see another post of mine floating around with notes,but he have not received more than $20 in the last 2 weeks.

As i mention before,my partner and I have two cats that we care for and due to our circumstances,neither of them have had updated shots into about two years.One of them has frequent vomiting from eating her food without chewing (as told to us by vet last time we were able to go),and we would like to check on that and have them both checked out with updated shots.

We are also,unfortunately,asking for help staying housed as thing are not super great on that front either.We are hoping to raise $2500 for the estimated cost for shots and vet visit,as well as housing cost.

Please consider helping us.I know we've depended on a lot of kindness and i swear we will give it back as soon as we can.All we ask is if you a little to spare,you consider sharing it with us please

1.) i am 16. since you did not know that, you clearly only care for the money since i blatantly say that in my intro post.

2.) this obviously seems like a scam; if you really wanted help you wouldve asked me with a new sincere message instead of copy-pasting off your own blog post.

3.) if by some miracle this ISN’T a scam and you want true sympathy out of people; make a new, inspirational and emotional post on your own so people support you instead of asking a 16-yr-old who draws South Park yaoi.

ik its wrong to interact with this but what can i say

i feel like choosing drama today and i want to call out people on tumblr who do scams like this 💀