Reddit roundup: a $700 pledge on a $5,000 goal — generous backer or scam?
Scam & Risk Alerts · PledgeRadar Editorial ·
u/DanQZ, on their first project, received a $700 pledge toward a $5,000 goal, followed by a message asking to talk. They asked whether it was a scam.
The answer was nearly unanimous, and the replies explain exactly how this trick works.
What Reddit users said
Too good to be true. Ignore it; the pledge will probably be cancelled, possibly at the end of the campaign.
When it’s too good to be true: it’s too good to be true.Original comment
If it's a no-reward pledge, ignore or report it. A last-minute cancellation can drop the campaign below its goal.
Original commentDescribes the typical play: they offer to send a large amount if you send them a smaller one, then cancel their pledge after you pay.
Original commentAnother version: the fake backer gets you excited, then refers you to someone who will "boost" your backers for a fee.
Original commentWas 50% funded last weekend and back to 0% after fake pledges were cancelled; their inbox is full of scammers. They find it demoralising.
Original commentIf you reply at all, keep it inside Kickstarter messages, never by email.
Original commentIf you're short of your goal and your budget is tight, ask Kickstarter Support to remove the pledge so you don't fund on money that disappears.
Original commentSource: This guy pledged $700 to my $5000 goal project and sent me this message. Is this a scam? (r/kickstarter)
Replies in this roundup summarize public comments posted on Reddit and are credited to their original authors, with links to the source. They are third-party opinions, not statements by PledgeRadar or its members. PledgeRadar does not verify these claims and accepts no legal responsibility for the content of community discussions.