Facebook Launches Personal Fundraiser: Can this GoFundMe-Like Feature Lead to More Scam Incidents?

Facebook recently announced that it is launching the Personal Fundraiser, a GoFundMe-like feature that would allow users to raise money. While this new tool may be helpful for people needing financial assistance, it could also, potentially, lead to more Facebook scam incidents.

According to CNBC, Facebook's Personal Fundraiser feature would allow Facebook users above 18 years old to start a fundraising campaign to raise money for themselves or other people. However, the fundraising campaign is limited to six key categories: education, medical, pet medical, crisis relief, personal emergency and funeral and loss.

Facebook's Personal Fundraiser feature resembles the popular fundraising site, GoFundMe. However, such fundraising campaigns like the one run by GoFundMe aren't always small sailing. A number of people have taken advantage of the site and started "rip off" scams, something Facebook will surely be looking into.

To avoid fraudulent claims, Facebook will be imposing a 24-hour review process. Since Facebook's Personal Fundraiser will be tied to the profile of the person who created the fundraiser, potential donors will be able to see and judge for themselves whether the fundraising cause is just, legitimate, or trustworthy.

According to Business Insider, people will able to send money directly on Facebook using the social network's native payments service after the fundraising campaign is requested via Facebook's Personal Fundraiser, and is reviewed by Facebook employees. The company will take a five percent processing and verification fee, which Facebook then donates to its own charities.

Fundraising campaigns in Facebook were previously restricted to registered nonprofits. Now, though, the social media company founded by Mark Zuckerberg is making the Facebook's Personal Fundraiser feature available for everyone 18 years old above in the US.

Facebook has been unveiling a number of features that resemble some of the best or popular apps in existence, such as the snap-chat-like ephemeral Stories and 3D camera effects. Barring the scams such as those found in other fundraising sites, Facebook's Personal Fundraiser could potentially help a lot of people, something its founder Mark Zuckerberg has been advocating for a long time.