People in Singapore reluctant to help strangers due to scam risk: Survey

Even though Mr Paul Teo is a senior social worker, he hesitates to open his wallet when approached in public for donations.

- Christine Tan

The 51-year-old says he is alert to bogus fund-raisers and scammers who pose as needy individuals.

“I’ve become more discerning nowadays. Even though part of me really wants to do something to help, and wants to part with my money, I’ll look at (the donation website) first,” said Mr Teo, who is with Reach Community Services.

Mr Teo was part of a team from Reach Community Services that conducted a survey in March 2024 of more than 1,000 members of the public aged above 18, to understand their attitudes towards helping strangers. The findings of the Good Samaritan Meter survey were published in late April.

The team found that though 95 per cent of respondents across different age groups perceived themselves as compassionate, only 42 per cent of them said they helped strangers once or twice in the past year. One reason so many did not help others was the fear of being scammed, which was particularly prevalent among respondents aged 65 and above.

Said the social service agency in a statement on April 26: “The fear of being taken advantage of or getting scammed prompts most to demonstrate compassion through less tangible means, such as acts of service and words of affirmation, rather than through costly gifts or quality time.”