What to Look for to Determine If a Medical GoFundMe Is a Scam
If someone you know is facing a tragedy and a friend is setting up a crowdfunding page to help them pay medical bills or other expenses, it’s natural that you’ll want to donate a few dollars. But some of these pages are scams, even if the tragedy is real and happened to someone you know.
Since anyone can create a crowdfunding site, scammers can get your friend’s name and picture and set up a fund for him. Scammers have even copied entire fundraising pages , so the only difference between a real page and a scam is who the money goes to. Sometimes a family friend is actually in charge of fundraising, but the friend never hands over the money .
GoFundMe writes on its safety page that there is no way to “100% guarantee” that fundraising grows, but it does suggest some things to watch out for:
- Check with the creator of the foundation. The donation page needs to be linked to a facebook account, so if the person is really connected with someone you know, you should see a few mutual friends and a familiar profile photo.
- Pay only through the official WePay account. If someone claiming to be a fundraiser or GoFundMe employee asks you to send money in a different way, please let us know .
- Ask around. GoFundMe says you should only donate to people you “personally know and trust.” If you are still unsure about the legality of fundraising, contact the person you are trying to help or a trusted mutual friend to inquire about the situation.
The same advice applies to other crowdfunding sites; see the site’s help section for more information on how (and whether) you can identify potential scammers. And check out the link below to learn more about the pros and cons of donating to medical fundraisers:
When To Decline This Medical Request GoFundMe | USA Today