Is this legal?
June 28, 2007 11:40 AM Subscribe
Is the HelpMyBabye.com type of site (mentioned on the front page)legal in the United States?
If so, would the person in that example have to spend the money on the child? What would happen if they didn't? What would be legal way (if it is illegal) to set up a site where you could ask people for donations?
Could you point me to examples of other sites like the above, where people just ask for donations, for whatever reason?
If so, would the person in that example have to spend the money on the child? What would happen if they didn't? What would be legal way (if it is illegal) to set up a site where you could ask people for donations?
Could you point me to examples of other sites like the above, where people just ask for donations, for whatever reason?
Well if you hit the Donation button you'll see that it's no longer working--I believe paypal has shut them down. So whether it's legal or not, at least Paypal doesn't want anything to do with it.
posted by fusinski at 11:54 AM on June 28, 2007
posted by fusinski at 11:54 AM on June 28, 2007
Without commenting on whether or not I agree with this public policy: fetuses in the United States have no rights at all.
While it's quite disturbing, the site is not really any different, legally, than setting up a website that says "Donate $10,000 or I'll throw away this piece of paper."
In a certain sense, though, it's interesting. It's asking pro-lifers to put their money where their mouths are.
posted by toomuchpete at 12:10 PM on June 28, 2007
While it's quite disturbing, the site is not really any different, legally, than setting up a website that says "Donate $10,000 or I'll throw away this piece of paper."
In a certain sense, though, it's interesting. It's asking pro-lifers to put their money where their mouths are.
posted by toomuchpete at 12:10 PM on June 28, 2007
Of course it's a hoax, but I don't know if it would be fraud... the terms and conditions state: "You are _giving_ us money, with no expectation of getting anything in return, ever. We are not obligated to do, or refrain from, anything as a result of your or anyone else's donation."
That sounds like a pretty surefire way of saying "yeah, I've told you a story about a possible abortion, but once you give us money it's ours and we make no promises of what we will do with it."
Of course, that would only matter if it was real. Which, as has been established in the blue, it almost certainly is not.
posted by Zephyrial at 12:34 PM on June 28, 2007
That sounds like a pretty surefire way of saying "yeah, I've told you a story about a possible abortion, but once you give us money it's ours and we make no promises of what we will do with it."
Of course, that would only matter if it was real. Which, as has been established in the blue, it almost certainly is not.
posted by Zephyrial at 12:34 PM on June 28, 2007
Could you point me to examples of other sites like the above, where people just ask for donations, for whatever reason?
Help me go to medical school.
posted by alms at 12:44 PM on June 28, 2007
Help me go to medical school.
posted by alms at 12:44 PM on June 28, 2007
yeah, I've told you a story about a possible abortion, but once you give us money it's ours and we make no promises of what we will do with it
Sure, but if the story is false, then they are obtaining money by deception. Their terms and conditions won't matter.
posted by grouse at 12:48 PM on June 28, 2007
Sure, but if the story is false, then they are obtaining money by deception. Their terms and conditions won't matter.
posted by grouse at 12:48 PM on June 28, 2007
Of course it's a hoax, but I don't know if it would be fraud... the terms and conditions state:
It's fraud. The site represents the operator/recipient of the donations to be part of a couple that is pregnant, and promises further that if they get $50k in donations in three months, they will not abort the child. That presumes there is a fetus/child. The purpose of this (we now know) gross misrepresentation was to solicit donations.
They cannot insulate themselves from liability with a clause that says basically "we don't promise to do what we promised to do on the front page".
Typically clauses like the one on this page are to protect a charity from charges that the money donated is not being spent the way the donor intended. (i.e. on admin costs, marketing, etc)
posted by Pastabagel at 12:50 PM on June 28, 2007
It's fraud. The site represents the operator/recipient of the donations to be part of a couple that is pregnant, and promises further that if they get $50k in donations in three months, they will not abort the child. That presumes there is a fetus/child. The purpose of this (we now know) gross misrepresentation was to solicit donations.
They cannot insulate themselves from liability with a clause that says basically "we don't promise to do what we promised to do on the front page".
Typically clauses like the one on this page are to protect a charity from charges that the money donated is not being spent the way the donor intended. (i.e. on admin costs, marketing, etc)
posted by Pastabagel at 12:50 PM on June 28, 2007
Grouse, you may be right. If the story is false and people give money in reliance on the bad story, then it could be fraud.
On the other hand, if the story is true but then they walk off and do whatever they want with the money, I don't think it'd be fraud.
posted by craven_morhead at 12:51 PM on June 28, 2007
On the other hand, if the story is true but then they walk off and do whatever they want with the money, I don't think it'd be fraud.
posted by craven_morhead at 12:51 PM on June 28, 2007
if the story is true but then they walk off and do whatever they want with the money
If the story is true, then it's not a hoax.
posted by grouse at 1:02 PM on June 28, 2007
If the story is true, then it's not a hoax.
posted by grouse at 1:02 PM on June 28, 2007
I wish I could self link here to my own begging site, www.supportmydrughabit.com. I've bought the domain, but haven't gotten around to setting it up yet. Too busy getting stoned and playing computer games.
posted by Meatbomb at 1:32 PM on June 28, 2007
posted by Meatbomb at 1:32 PM on June 28, 2007
There was also a guy that asked for donations to buy an ad during the superbowl to ask his gal to marry him.
posted by micayetoca at 4:30 PM on June 28, 2007
posted by micayetoca at 4:30 PM on June 28, 2007
examples of other sites like the above, where people just ask for donations, for whatever reason?
SaveKaryn.Com would be the ultimate example, I reckon.
There are plenty of people asking for donations for all sorts of things. I remember one girl trying to get a million dollars (I don't think she ever made it). Websites like ChipIn, Pledgie, and DropCash made it easier for people to organize such donation drives. I have friends who (a) organize community activities and needed the money, in essence asking for NPO funding or (b) have fallen into hard times and need help (and while asking for donations, also sell or offer stuff for commission).
I am currently asking for donations for a trip to the UN Youth Assembly - if I hit my goal, I'll donate RM1000 of my own money to UNICEF, otherwise I'll give UNICEF whatever I managed to collect. I have $10 so far.
posted by divabat at 4:23 AM on June 29, 2007
SaveKaryn.Com would be the ultimate example, I reckon.
There are plenty of people asking for donations for all sorts of things. I remember one girl trying to get a million dollars (I don't think she ever made it). Websites like ChipIn, Pledgie, and DropCash made it easier for people to organize such donation drives. I have friends who (a) organize community activities and needed the money, in essence asking for NPO funding or (b) have fallen into hard times and need help (and while asking for donations, also sell or offer stuff for commission).
I am currently asking for donations for a trip to the UN Youth Assembly - if I hit my goal, I'll donate RM1000 of my own money to UNICEF, otherwise I'll give UNICEF whatever I managed to collect. I have $10 so far.
posted by divabat at 4:23 AM on June 29, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by parmanparman at 11:45 AM on June 28, 2007