A case involving automatic monthly balance deductions (autodebit) experienced by a donor after making a donation at a shopping center has gained widespread attention on social media.
Responding to this phenomenon, a Family and Consumer Science expert from IPB University, Prof Megawati Simanjuntak, reminded the public not to rush when making donations and to ensure that all information is explained transparently to avoid potential losses.
The circulating case mentions a woman who agreed to donate IDR 200.000. Unfortunately, she did not realize that the transaction was actually set as a recurring monthly autodebit that deducted her balance over time.
Prof Megawati considered this phenomenon very concerning as it relates to public trust in donation activities. According to her, such practices have the potential to harm the public and may reduce trust in philanthropic institutions, even those that are credible.
“In principle, donations must be made voluntarily and transparently. If an autodebit occurs without the donor’s full understanding, this raises ethical concerns and issues related to consumer protection,” she stated.
She explained that although the autodebit system is legal and commonly used in banking—for example, for paying monthly bills—, the key lies in customer consent. Problems arise when customers feel they were not given sufficient explanation or were unaware that the transaction was subscription based.
“In the absence of clear explanation, this practice may be associated with a violation of Law Number 8 of 1999 on Consumer Protection. Specifically, it may violate Article 4 letter c, which concerns the consumer’s right to obtain accurate, clear, and honest information,” Prof Mega elaborated.
The professor from the Faculty of Human Ecology at IPB University added that if, during the donation process, consumers are asked to provide personal data such as account numbers or card details without being informed that the data will be used for autodebit, this may also violate Law Number 27 of 2022 on Personal Data Protection.
“Consent for the use of personal data must be given clearly and transparently. Therefore, whether an autodebit donation is lawful or not depends heavily on how the consent process is conducted from the beginning,” she emphasized.
Five Tips for Safe Donations
To ensure safe donation practices, Prof Megawati provided five tips so that people do not make hasty decisions. First, confirm the details of the donation ask clearly what the donation is for and who it is intended for.
Second, confirm the frequency. Ensure that the donation is a one-time transaction if that is your intention. Third, protect sensitive data. Avoid sharing sensitive information such as card numbers or one-time passwords (OTP) unless you are absolutely certain.
Fourth, choose manual donations. If in doubt, it is safer to make donations manually, such as through direct transfers. Finally, regularly check your account. It is important to monitor your account to quickly identify any unfamiliar deductions.
“The key point is that donating is still encouraged and commendable, but it must be done carefully and with full understanding of what we are agreeing to,” she concluded. (dh)
