The holy month of Ramadan is certainly one for a bit of extra generosity, as it’s the month of the multiplication of good deeds! So more people want to help the needy and these factors make the month an attractive time for fraudsters to get chances to cheat people. That’s why it’s very significant to know where your money is going and if you’re making the most out of your donation.
To be updated on the Ramadan prayer timings and all things Ramadan, make sure to check Ramadan.qa!
You’ll probably get the odd fundraiser approaching you directly during Ramadan. Never leave yourself under pressure by a fundraiser into making a donation immediately. If you haven’t heard of the charity and you want to know more, ask right away, reliable fundraisers will be happy to clarify. You should give charity only to the authorised charity organisations, because they are the ones who are responsible for the collection and distribution of charity.
If you want to donate online, type in the charity’s website address from your internet browser. Fraud email is a common trick nowadays, so it’s important you assess any emails with donation links to know if they are authentic. The best way to deal with this is to do some online research about the charity organisation and then if you find it reliable, you can donate by visiting the official website yourself.
You’re about to step into your car and suddenly a stranger approaches you, he offers his greetings and engages you in conversation by telling his sob story and it goes like this: He has a relative in critical condition and needs help to have surgery done. The man also shows you pictures of the patient to touch your emotions. So, could you lend him QR 50?
You’d have to have a heart of stone to refuse to help. Your overwhelming urge to do a good deed in Ramadan gets the better of you and you fork out the money, not realising that you’ve been duped. On a good day, the man makes a cool QR 500!
So next time if these kinds of beggars approach you, keep in mind that Qatari law criminalises begging and the Ministry of Interior has urged the public to report to Anti-Begging Section at Criminal Investigation Department on 2347444 / 33618627.
You can donate only to authorised charity organisations (for example, Qatar Charity and Qatar Red Crescent Society) because they are the ones who are responsible for the collection and distribution of charity. These charity organisations are better equipped to distribute charity properly because of their continuous study of the people in distress and need.
The number of scams rises during Ramadan due to the increase in prizes and promotions offered by different supermarkets and fashion brands. It is learned that some residents in Qatar were getting messages from social networking apps (like Viber, WhatsApp, IMO) saying they have won huge amounts in cash at a supermarket chain and are asked to contact some particular numbers.
Beware if you come across a website claiming to give you free vouchers or if you receive an SMS or call saying that you have won vouchers with any hypermarket. Always verify the source and stay up-to-date with the latest news, promotions, and contests only through the official social media accounts.
Have you ever faced these kinds of scammers in Qatar? If yes, tell us your story in the comments section below to make others aware! And don't forget to like and share this article - you know it keeps us going!
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