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The key word is _similar_: Flattr doesn't send any unsolicited emails and doesn't actually collect money until it gets claimed. tip4commit does both.

Bountysource[1] seems to be even closer, not sure if that got any such complaints.

[1]: https://www.bountysource.com/

Bounty Source makes it pretty clear the bounties aren't from the project maintainers, and bounties aren't collected or solicited as if they are from or for the project maintainers..

I think the issue here might be Bitcoin. Many sites that deal in Bitcoin get "hacked" and the balances disappear, allegedly into the site operators' pockets.

I was wondering about Flattr as well. You can connect your account to Github, and the owners of repos that you star will be "flattred". I've done this a few times, some that haven't been claimed yet too - I admit it never crossed my mind that it could be nothing but an inconvenience to the recipient.