Gofundme Scams on the Rise Learn How to Protect Yourself

Gofundme scams have been on the rise in recent years, with a reported 60% increase in fake campaigns on the platform. This means it's more important than ever to be cautious when donating to online fundraisers.

Be wary of campaigns that seem too good (or bad) to be true. Scammers often use emotional manipulation to get people to donate, such as claiming a family member is in urgent need of medical attention or that a community is suffering from a devastating natural disaster.

Legitimate fundraisers usually have a clear goal and a specific amount of money needed to reach it. Scammers often don't provide this information, or they'll claim the goal is already met.

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A campaign is more likely to be legitimate if the organizer is closely related to the cause the campaign claims to benefit.

Scammers may attempt to capitalize on tragic events by setting up crowdfunding pages to raise money for the victims.

Legitimate campaign organizers can come from all walks of life, and the fact that someone has no background doing this sort of thing, or that this is their first GoFundMe campaign, isn't necessarily a red flag.

However, it's essential to fact-check the information provided on the campaign page, as scammers may overstate the gravity of a situation to attempt to get more money out of donors.

Researching the organizer's background is crucial, but it's also important to verify contact information, such as an email address or social media links.

Be cautious of campaigns with vague or unclear narratives, as this can raise suspicions about the campaign's legitimacy.

If the goal seems too high or unrealistic, it might be a scam.

Legitimate fundraisers typically provide regular updates on how the raised funds are being used.

To safeguard against scams, donors should carefully scrutinize the campaign details, verify the authenticity of medical claims, and consider reaching out to the campaign organizer for additional information.

Scammers may use emotionally charged language, heart-wrenching narratives, and misleading medical details to deceive contributors.

Here are some red flags to watch out for:

By exercising due diligence and being aware of these red flags, you can avoid falling victim to GoFundMe scams.

If you suspect a GoFundMe campaign is a scam, report it to GoFundMe directly. You can do this by contacting their helpline at 877-908-3360 or by submitting a report through their website. GoFundMe requires you to provide your name and telephone number, as well as the email address associated with your GoFundMe account, to submit an anonymous complaint.

To report a campaign, gather information about the fraud, including the URL of the campaign and any evidence that the campaign organizer is attempting to deceive donors. GoFundMe staff will investigate and possibly shut down the campaign if your report is legitimate.

Before reporting a campaign, review GoFundMe's policies to ensure the situation is indeed considered fraudulent. Some situations that may seem suspicious are not actually considered fraudulent on the platform.

Here are the steps to report a campaign to GoFundMe:

Remember, you can always write a check directly to the person in need, as advised by Nora Kenworthy, an associate professor at the University of Washington Bothell.

To avoid supporting a GoFundMe scam, it's essential to assess the campaign carefully. Review the fundraiser page to ensure it has a clear title, image, and story.

Understand the use of funds and check if the organizer is transparent about how the money will be used. This can help you determine if the campaign is legitimate.

Check the organizer or beneficiary connection to see if they have a genuine connection to the fundraiser. Look for comments and donations from family, friends, or community members.

If something doesn't seem right, don't hesitate to ask questions. GoFundMe provides a contact button for the organizer and a "Report" button to alert the Trust & Safety team.

According to a survey, 91% of Americans are familiar with crowdfunding campaigns, and 31% typically contribute to them. The average donation is $189, with most funds going to support relatives or close friends.

Here are the 5 tips to assess a GoFundMe campaign:

Some campaigns may seem suspicious, but not all are considered fraudulent. GoFundMe has specific policies that prohibit fraudulent, misleading, or deceitful campaigns.

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To avoid GoFundMe scams, it's essential to be cautious and do your research. Check the story details to ensure the narrative is clear and specific about the person or cause in need. If the details are vague or lacking, it's a red flag.

Verify contact information by confirming there's clear contact info for the person organizing the fundraiser. Legitimate campaigns usually include ways to get in touch, such as an email address or social media links. Scammers often avoid providing this information.

Research the organizer by looking for a visible online presence, including social media profiles or news articles that mention their activities. If a thorough search yields little to no information about the organizer, it raises concerns about the authenticity of the campaign.

Get outside confirmation before donating by searching for the parties involved on Google or another search engine. This simple step can help verify that the claims are real.

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Review donor comments to see if there are any from people who identify themselves as family members or close friends of the beneficiary. If only strangers are donating, it could be a sign of a scam.

Here are some warning signs to watch out for:

To avoid falling prey to GoFundMe scams, it's essential to be cautious when donating to crowdfunding campaigns. Check the story details – a genuine campaign will explain why assistance is required, detailing the circumstances or challenges faced.

Verify contact information – legitimate campaigns typically include ways to get in touch, such as an email address or social media links. Scammers may avoid providing this information, making it essential to be cautious when contact details are not readily available.

Research the organizer – take the time to research the individual or group behind the fundraising campaign. Legitimate organizers often have a visible online presence, including social media profiles or news articles that mention their activities.

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Question unrealistic goals – evaluate the fundraising goal set by the campaign. If the target amount seems excessively high or unrealistic for the stated purpose, exercise caution.

Check for updates – examine whether the campaign provides regular updates on how the raised funds are being used. Legitimate fundraisers typically keep supporters informed about the progress and impact of their contributions.

You can also get outside confirmation before donating by searching for the parties involved on Google or another search engine. This simple step can help verify that the claims are real.

Looking through the comments from people who have donated can also reveal a GoFundMe scam. If you don't see any from people who identify themselves as family members or close friends of the beneficiary, that could be a red flag.

Here are some key things to watch out for:

By being aware of these potential red flags, you can reduce the chances of falling for a GoFundMe scam and ensure that your donations are going to a genuine cause.

69 percent of donations come from individuals, showing people are eager to donate when they can.

You don't have to rely on crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe to make a difference. Charitable organizations are an alternative option.

Choosing a sponsor-a-child campaign allows you to directly contribute to communities where young people live, making life better for everyone there.

Charitable organizations are often more transparent about how donations are used, making it easier to verify where your money goes.

Some GoFundMe campaigns receive far more than needed, leaving the creator to decide how to use the excess funds, which can be uncertain for donors.

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Romance scams on GoFundMe involve perpetrators establishing a false romantic relationship with the victim, often through emotional manipulation and fabricated stories. They may then create a fake fundraising campaign, claiming to need financial assistance for various reasons.

Catfishing is a broader term that encompasses the creation of a deceptive online identity, often used in conjunction with romance scams. Perpetrators go to great lengths to construct a false persona, using fake names, photos, and personal details to trick their victims.

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Fake illness scams involve scammers claiming to have a serious medical condition and setting up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for treatment. However, the scammer may not actually have the condition, and the funds are used for personal gain.

Fake offers scams involve individuals reaching out to campaign organizers with promises that seem too good to be true. These may include offers to run the fundraiser on behalf of the organizer in exchange for a payment, or to withdraw donations in exchange for a fee.

Here are some common types of fake offers scams to watch out for:

Identifying fraudulent campaigns on GoFundMe requires some research and attention to detail. A legitimate campaign will have a clear title, image, and story, and the organizer will be transparent about how funds will be used.

Research the organizer's background to understand their connection to the beneficiary. You might find that the organizer has no background doing this sort of thing, but that's not necessarily a red flag. Look for comments and donations from family, friends, or community members, as well as from the beneficiaries themselves.

Fact-check the information provided on the campaign page, especially if it's tied to a recent disaster or traumatic event. You can find objective reporting of the incident online to verify the story. Be cautious of campaigns that overstate the gravity of a situation to get more money from donors.

If something doesn't seem right, don't be afraid to ask questions. GoFundMe provides a method for sending a message directly to the organizer of the campaign. You can also look for similar campaigns on other crowdfunding sites to see if the organizer is trying to cast a wide net.

Here are some key things to look out for when identifying fraudulent campaigns:

By being vigilant and doing your research, you can help prevent fraudulent campaigns from succeeding and ensure that your donations go to a good cause.

Fake Medical Emergency scams on GoFundMe involve scammers creating fictitious campaigns centered around severe illnesses or medical emergencies.

Scammers use emotionally charged language, heart-wrenching narratives, and misleading medical details to deceive contributors.

To safeguard against these scams, donors should carefully scrutinize the campaign details, verify the authenticity of medical claims, and consider reaching out to the campaign organizer for additional information.

Fact-checking the medical information and consulting with relevant medical professionals can help donors make informed decisions and avoid falling victim to these deceptive schemes.

GoFundMe safety specialist Warsan Mohamoud acknowledges the existence of bad actors on the platform, emphasizing the importance of being realistic about the risks.

Donors should be cautious of campaigns that seem too good (or bad) to be true, as scammers may use fabricated stories to evoke sympathy and generosity.

Verifying the authenticity of medical claims is crucial, and donors should not rely solely on the information provided in the campaign.

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