In a troubling trend sweeping across the United States, individuals are falling prey to deceitful donation schemes that exploit their generosity. What begins as an act of kindness in store parking lots ends in significant financial losses. Two women recently became victims when they were coerced into "tap-to-pay" systems, believing they were donating modest amounts for children's funeral services. Instead, they found thousands deducted from their accounts without consent. This scam not only highlights vulnerabilities in digital payment methods but also raises questions about consumer protection and bank policies.

A recent incident unfolded in Chicago where con artists targeted unsuspecting donors near a drugstore. Kelly, who chose to withhold her last name due to fear of retaliation, recounted how she was pressured into using her checking card through her phone’s wallet on a tap-to-pay device. Initially intending to donate $25, she discovered a charge of $2,500 after the scammers swiftly executed the transaction and fled the scene. Despite filing a police report, her bank initially refused to acknowledge the fraudulent activity, claiming she had authorized the charge by tapping her phone.

Similarly affected was Estelle Fisher, another victim of this growing scam. At a grocery store in Chicago, Estelle was approached with what appeared to be legitimate donation paperwork for a child's funeral service. She agreed to contribute $10 but soon received an alert from her bank indicating a $3,000 deduction. Like Kelly, Estelle faced initial resistance from her bank regarding the fraud claim until reclassifying it as a billing dispute.

Both cases highlight a disturbing pattern: scammers leveraging technology and emotional appeals to deceive well-meaning individuals. According to Steve Bernas, President of the Better Business Bureau in the Chicago area, these scams are proliferating nationwide, often targeting women. Banks sometimes hesitate to refund victims, citing that the transactions were willingly completed via card taps. Yet, public outcry and media involvement can lead to resolutions, as seen when PayPal eventually refunded Kelly following ABC Chicago's intervention.

The alarming rise in such scams underscores the need for heightened vigilance among consumers. Experts advise always asking for receipts post-donation and researching organizations before contributing. A red flag is when solicitors refuse cash payments, relying solely on digital means. As victims like Kelly and Estelle share their experiences, they hope to raise awareness and prevent others from suffering similar fates. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the importance of caution in today's rapidly evolving digital payment landscape.