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If you donated to a GoFundMe campaign and the funds are missing, you're entitled to a refund. Donors can request a refund within 30 days of the campaign's end date.
A refund is guaranteed by GoFundMe's "Donor Protection" policy, which ensures that donors are protected in case the campaign organizer doesn't fulfill their promise.
This policy is in place to provide peace of mind for donors who contribute to campaigns with missing funds.
Gofundme Scandals
Cases of misuse on GoFundMe are rare, but they do happen. Less than a 10th of a percent of all campaigns involve fraudulent behavior.
GoFundMe has a zero tolerance policy for fraudulent behavior, and they cooperate with law enforcement officials when necessary.
New Jersey Couple's Homeless Campaign Predicated on Lie
A New Jersey couple's GoFundMe campaign to help a homeless veteran was predicated on a lie. The campaign, which raised over $400,000, was sparked by a fake story about the couple meeting the veteran on a Philadelphia highway.
The couple, Katelyn McClure and Mark D'Amico, claimed they met the veteran, Johnny Bobbitt Jr., when McClure was stranded without gas. However, prosecutors later revealed that the story was entirely fabricated.
The couple used the money raised on the GoFundMe campaign to fund their own lavish lifestyle, including luxurious vacations and a BMW. Bobbitt himself had called out the couple's deception, filing a civil suit against them and alleging that they mismanaged the funds meant for him.
The couple's scheme was uncovered after authorities discovered text messages confirming that the initial story was a hoax. GoFundMe has since promised to refund donors who unwittingly contributed to the couple's personal bank accounts.
The case highlights the risks of donating to charity campaigns online, and the importance of verifying the authenticity of a story before contributing.
Hannah Kobayashi's Family Offers to Help
Hannah Kobayashi's family was a bit blindsided by the Gofundme scandal surrounding their daughter's campaign. They had no idea their daughter's campaign was being used for personal gain.
The family was initially unaware that their daughter had been using the funds raised for her own benefit, not the intended purpose of helping a friend in need. They only found out when they started receiving complaints from donors.
The family was shocked and disappointed by their daughter's actions, and they immediately stepped in to try and rectify the situation. They offered to refund all the donations and make things right with the donors.
Policy
GoFundMe has a comprehensive refund policy in place to protect donors from misuse. The GoFundMe Guarantee ensures that donors can request a refund if they meet certain criteria.
To be eligible for a refund, you must still have the original payment method used for the donation, the refund request must be made within a year of the donation date, and you can't have already received a refund or requested a chargeback for the same donation.
If GoFundMe proves misuse, donors can be reimbursed in one of three ways: a donation refund not exceeding $1,000 per donor per campaign, a credit that can be redeemed as a donation to another campaign, or a redirected donation to the proper beneficiary.
To request a refund, open the GoFundMe Guarantee page, scroll down and click on Submit a donor claim here, fill out your contact information, and answer questions about the fundraiser.
If you suspect misuse or fraud, you can submit a donor claim with evidence, if applicable. GoFundMe has a zero-tolerance policy for fraudulent behavior, and cases of misuse are rare on the platform, accounting for less than a 10th of a percent of all campaigns.
Here are some common reasons why GoFundMe might refund money without your request:
- The organizer decided to stop the fundraiser
- The platform’s payment processor wasn’t able to verify your identity and rejected the donation
- The organizer didn’t transfer the raised funds within the allotted time or confirm their account
- The donation was made by you, but you are the fundraiser’s organizer
Alternative Request Methods
If you can't contact the charity directly, you can try requesting a refund through other means.
You can request a refund via the GoFundMe website, but it depends on how recent your donation is.
If your donation is recent, you can request a refund on the GoFundMe website.
To request a refund, go to the GoFundMe website.
You can also use a service called DoNotPay to request a refund.
Here are some alternative methods you can try:
Recent Donations and Issues
If you've made a donation to a GoFundMe campaign recently, you might be wondering about refund options. If you sent money to a certified charity fundraiser before the 15th of the current month, you can request a refund until the 20th of that month.
Donations made after the 15th have a slightly different timeline, with refunds issued until the 20th of the next month. This is a good thing to keep in mind if you're planning to donate to a campaign soon.
If your donation fits these time constraints, you can follow these steps to request a refund: Open the Request a refund pageEnter your email address and select the type of refund requestType in the full amount of your donationEnter the name or the link of the fundraising campaignClick on Submit
Missing Funds for Homeless Man
A recent GoFundMe campaign to help a homeless veteran ended in a shocking twist, with the couple behind the campaign being charged with second-degree felonies for allegedly fabricating the story that sparked the fundraising effort.
The couple, Katelyn McClure and Mark D'Amico, claimed they met the veteran, Johnny Bobbitt Jr., when McClure was stranded without gas on a Philadelphia highway, and Bobbitt used his last $20 to fill her tank.
The original GoFundMe page blew through its initial goal of $10,000, eventually raising $403,000, and the couple made the rounds on daytime television, including an appearance on Megyn Kelly Today.
The entire campaign was predicated on a lie, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina.
McClure, D'Amico, and Bobbitt were charged with second-degree felonies for allegedly fabricating the story that sparked the GoFundMe.
The couple spent the majority of the crowdsourced funds on luxurious vacations, handbags, casino visits, and a BMW.
GoFundMe promised to refund donors who unwittingly contributed to the couple's personal bank accounts.
The company has said it is also cooperating with law enforcement officials.
GoFundMe says that cases of misuse are rare on the platform, accounting for less than a 10th of a percent of all campaigns.
The company has a zero tolerance policy for fraudulent behavior.
Recent Donations
If you've made a recent donation to a GoFundMe campaign, you might be wondering if you can get a refund. Fortunately, GoFundMe has a clear policy on this.
Refunds are issued based on when you made your donation. If you sent money before the 15th of the current month, you can request a refund until the 20th of that month.
To request a refund, you'll need to follow these steps. First, open the Request a refund page. Then, enter your email address and select the type of refund request you're making.
Next, type in the full amount of your donation, and enter the name or link of the fundraising campaign. Finally, click on Submit.
Here's a quick summary of the refund timeline:
Potential Issues
You can't request a refund if you're making donations to your own campaign, as that's not a valid reason for a refund.
Donating offline outside of the GoFundMe platform also doesn't qualify for a refund. This means you can't request a refund if you gave money directly to the beneficiary or organizer in person or through another method.
If you regret making a donation, that's not a reason for a refund either. You can't change your mind and expect a refund just because you're having second thoughts.
You can't request a refund based on personal disagreements or dislike of the beneficiary or organizer. If you don't like the person or organization you donated to, that's not a valid reason for a refund.
Similarly, if you disagree with how the beneficiary or organizer uses extra funds, that's not a reason for a refund. You can't dispute the way the money is being used and expect a refund.
If there are undelivered rewards, promises, or promotions made by the beneficiary or organizer, you can't request a refund. You have to wait for the rewards to be fulfilled before you can request a refund.
Donating to a fundraiser that has been removed for other reasons also doesn't qualify for a refund. This means if the fundraiser was taken down for a reason unrelated to misuse, you can't request a refund.
Finally, if you simply disagree with GoFundMe, that's not a valid reason for a refund. You have to have a documented and objective reason to believe that misuse occurred before you can request a refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to GoFundMe money if the goal isn't reached?
If you don't reach your GoFundMe goal, you can withdraw the remaining funds minus transaction fees. You won't lose your money, and you can still access it.
Can GoFundMe donations be refunded?
Donations made to a GoFundMe fundraiser can be refunded in certain situations, such as unauthorized charges or recent donations. Contact GoFundMe's support team to initiate the refund process.
Sources
- https://www.npr.org/2018/12/26/680162914/gofundme-provides-refunds-to-donors-duped-by-viral-campaign
- https://donotpay.com/learn/gofundme-refund/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/gofundme-refunding-donations-build-the-wall-fundraiser-2019-1
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hannah-kobayashi-gofundme-refund-safe_n_675c6b91e4b0a6324e3b32e7
- https://wjct.org/uncategorized/2018/12/gofundme-provides-refunds-to-donors-duped-by-viral-campaign/
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