this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2025
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Mutual aid spam is becoming a problem on the Fediverse.

And to be sure, I'm not against mutual aid. What I am against is spam.

This person has not verified who she is -- or even if the profile picture is hers. Additional research on her name states she is a scammer with a record of grifting. I am therefore skeptical that any donations will help anyone in need.

Folks, please be cautious with mutual aid requests. Yes, people sometimes need help. But people also lie.

@[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, the other day I saw a lot of posts like "I am from palestine, my home is destroyed please donate to help"... Spam is probably the significant problem on fedi

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

People do solicit donations, as on just about every public forum. I really wouldn't call it a problem on lemmy at this point, but a rule against it except in communities where it's encouraged wouldn't be a terrible idea. Somebody who is interested in doing it could start a Please Help community specifically for these requests, requiring some form of verification. Seems like running it could turn into a lot of work tho.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Don't boost it. If it violates your instance's rules (e.g. it's a scam), report it. Unfollow people that boost it. Mute/block the poster or their content.

I don't mind seeing it, and I don't think it is a problem (yet).

Agree that caution is warranted for any request of funds, whatever the requestor wants to call it.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Personally only seen one asking for help and it was just a fella in my instance (super small) saying hey if u live in ___ my friend needs a place to crash at, retoot if possible (sounds super legit)

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago

i had helped 2 people through Mastodon who seemed to genuinely need it on Mastodon a few months ago. I think it is nice to know that I can help people who need and they might help in my time of need.It is functional.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 months ago

Was that a PM or a post?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

POLICE! POLICE! PLEASE HELP!

I SAW A HOMELESS PERSON!!! THEY WERE ASKING FOR MONEY

PLEASE REMOVE THESE EYESORES

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 months ago (2 children)

This is why I turn off Google spam filtering. My attention is worth nothing so everyone who can message me should be able to.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago (4 children)

Isn't asthma medication pretty cheap and long lasting? From what little I know an inhaler can last many months. Also if they can't afford that, surely they have state medical insurance to help with it? Just seems so scammy.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 months ago

depends on how often you have to use it. also, most states won't give you insurance if you aren't below the poverty level. if you have a full-time job, even if you're barely making it paycheck to paycheck, you're probably ineligible for medicaid.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

At the beginning of the pan, someone was selling nudes to cover expenses. I think I sent twenty bucks because I could and she was cute and whatever. But then the person started messaging me about trying to get more money (for her and her sister) and it just felt like a scam and I became very cynical about it.

Btw, I slept funny last night and I have a neck cramp. Please send money. /s

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