Crowdfrauding

Abstract

Abstract Many giving practices have tried to establish the genuineness of need and separate the poor into deserving and undeserving groups. This inspection of those in need may be justified in preventing fraud by those not requiring support or misrepresenting their needs; however, it can also lead to problematic invasions of privacy and require those in need to perform their deservingness to potential donors. The practice of crowdfunding has included examples of fraud ranging from high-profile cases that received viral media attention and massive public support to unsophisticated and largely unsuccessful attempts to mislead the public. While overt fraud in crowdfunding is likely rare, campaigners are required to prove their trustworthiness to the public in order to overcome concerns that they may mislead potential donors. This requires campaigners to reveal a great deal of sensitive information to the public with implications for the privacy and dignity of the recipient.