
GoFundMe's approach to verifying stories before allowing donations is a crucial aspect of the platform.
GoFundMe claims to have a team of moderators who review each campaign before it's live.
However, the platform doesn't have a strict verification process in place.
In fact, anyone can create a campaign on GoFundMe, and it's up to the donor to research and verify the story before making a donation.
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What to Know About GoFundMe
GoFundMe has a crisis team that springs into action after news reports of a crisis, monitoring the site for fundraisers to help those affected.
Their goal is to ensure every dollar donated reaches the right place, with a team of experts working around the clock to verify fundraisers and protect donors.
GoFundMe's Customer Support team offers coaching and account support to organizers and donors, while their Trust & Safety team reviews fundraisers to verify personal information and ensure funds are going to the right place.
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Their Trust & Safety team works closely with state and local officials and law enforcement to assist in investigations.
Here are some key facts to keep in mind when using GoFundMe:
- GoFundMe has a crisis team that mobilizes after news reports of a crisis.
- Their Customer Support team offers coaching and account support to organizers and donors.
- Their Trust & Safety team reviews fundraisers to verify personal information and ensure funds are going to the right place.
Our Mission: Advance Transparency
GoFundMe has often been a hub of fundraising for good causes, finding headlines through the wholesome support of friends and strangers alike. Scammers have begun using the platform as a grounds for scamming generous people out of their hard-earned cash.
Our mission at GoFundMe is to advance transparency, ensuring that donations go to a worthy cause. This mission is crucial in preventing scams from taking advantage of good-hearted people.
Scammers can't let us have anything nice, and have started using the platform to scam people. It's essential to be cautious and do our due diligence when donating to a cause.
What Does an Unverified Fundraiser Mean?
An unverified fundraiser on GoFundMe doesn't necessarily mean there's any suspicion of fraudulent activity. It simply means that the information hasn't been confirmed by GoFundMe's Trust & Safety team or payment processors yet.
The fundraiser can still remain active and receive donations while verification is in progress. The organizer or recipient can't withdraw funds until GoFundMe and their payment processors have verified all information.
It's worth noting that a verified fundraiser can still be active and receive donations.
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Potential Risks and Scams
Scammers see natural disasters as opportunities to target those in need, so be cautious of fake fundraising efforts.
Multiple fundraising efforts are happening during Hurricane Helene aid response, but the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Carolina warns of scammers targeting vulnerable people.
Scammers may create social posts or ads saying they'll distribute donations to those in need, but that's not always the case.
The Better Business Bureau suggests finding reputable websites, such as the North Carolina Disaster Recovery Fund at nc.gov/donate, to ensure your money goes to the right cause.
Be wary of organizations claiming 100% of donations go to those in need, as this is often a red flag.
A spokesperson for GoFundMe says they've launched a centralized hub with all verified fundraisers related to Helene, which you can check to ensure the cause is legitimate.
Scammers may also set up similar names to reputable organizations to trick you into donating, so pay close attention to the names of organizations.
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Donor Safety and Awareness
GoFundMe has a crisis team that mobilizes after news reports of a crisis, monitoring the site for fundraisers created to help those affected.
Their Customer Support team works hand-in-hand with organizers to set up fundraisers, add recipients, and share updates during a crisis.
GoFundMe's Trust & Safety team verifies personal information, the identity of recipients, and ensures funds raised go to the right place.
They review fundraisers created in response to a crisis, working closely with state and local officials and law enforcement to assist in investigations.
GoFundMe's Communications team verifies fundraisers and shares the stories of those impacted, working with state and local officials on the ground to brief them on the steps taken to protect donors and recipients.
If you're a donor, be on the lookout for GoFundMe Scams, which can be identified by looking out for these common red flags.
GoFundMe's Trust & Safety team reviews fundraisers created in response to a crisis, verifying personal information, the identity of recipients, and ensuring funds raised go to the right place.
Sources
- https://medium.com/gofundme-stories/behind-the-scenes-a-look-at-how-we-verify-fundraisers-during-a-u-s-crisis-b54a4a26fef6
- https://www.honolulumagazine.com/legitimate-gofundme/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/donate-confidence-how-spot-gofundme-scam-spokeo-ayroc
- https://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/how-to-avoid-donation-scams-during-hurricane-helene-aid-response/
- https://6abc.com/crowdfunding-gofundme-consumer-warning-scam/690073/
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