Is GoFundMe Safe to Donate to and Use

GoFundMe has a robust verification process to ensure that campaigns are legitimate. They verify the identity of the person creating the campaign and check for any red flags.

The platform also has a team of moderators who review campaigns daily to prevent misuse. In fact, GoFundMe has a 99.9% success rate in detecting and removing fake campaigns.

GoFundMe's terms of service clearly outline what is and isn't allowed on the platform. Users must agree to these terms before creating a campaign, which helps maintain accountability.

GoFundMe's fees are transparent, taking a 2.9% + $0.30 per donation fee, which is standard for online payment processors.

GoFundMe has a strong track record of protecting donors. Fraud on GoFundMe is rare, but in case something isn't right, donations of any amount are covered for one full year after you donate.

You can confidently donate safely online with GoFundMe. Donations are protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.

GoFundMe has taken many measures to ensure a positive fundraising experience for both users and donors. These measures include rewarding authenticity and transparency during fundraising campaigns.

You should only donate to users you personally know and trust. Even then, GoFundMe points out that there's no way to guarantee a page contains accurate or truthful information.

A security indicator, such as a lock icon or a green bar in your web browser, confirms that a transaction is secure. This is an important feature to look out for when donating.

Beware of pages with links to other pages where you supposedly can use "alternative payment methods." Always use only the "Donate" button on the page.

The "Created By" area at the top right of every donation page can help you make an informed donation decision. This information is crucial in deciding whether to donate.

GoFundMe does not ask for or store banking information or passwords. Fundraisers should never give this information to anyone claiming to be from GoFundMe.

Never arrange to meet anyone who contacts you claiming to be from the organization. This is a serious safety precaution to take.

If you experience any problems or suspicious activities, whether you're a donor or fundraiser, contact GoFundMe immediately.

Here are some key safety tips to keep in mind:

GoFundMe offers a unique guarantee to protect your donations. The GoFundMe Giving Guarantee ensures that funds get to the intended recipient every time.

GoFundMe's team of Trust & Safety specialists work around the clock to make sure donations are used as intended. This team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and safe donation process.

In the rare case something isn't right, you're protected by a full refund. This guarantee applies to donations of any amount.

Donations are covered for one full year after you donate. This means you can confidently give online with GoFundMe, knowing your donation is protected.

GoFundMe believes it's their responsibility to protect your kindness. They take this responsibility seriously, which is why they offer the Giving Guarantee.

GoFundMe features the very best in secure payment encryption technology, so your donors' online payments are safe, and your money is stored securely until you're ready to request a withdrawal via electronic bank transfer.

GoFundMe has a team of Trust & Safety specialists who work night and day to ensure that funds get to the intended recipient every time.

The GoFundMe Giving Guarantee protects your donation, covering donations of any amount for one full year after you donate.

You can confidently donate safely online with GoFundMe, knowing that your donation is protected, wherever you donate from.

In case something isn't right, donations of any amount are covered for one full year after you donate, giving you peace of mind when giving.

GoFundMe guarantees a full refund in the rare case something isn't right, so you can trust that your donation is in good hands.

The money from a GoFundMe campaign goes directly to the person or cause named, cutting down on people using others' tragedies or causes for personal gain.

If you're unsure about a GoFundMe donation, you can reach out to the campaign organizer or GoFundMe directly for more information.

GoFundMe's team vets information about campaigns and reaches out to proposed beneficiaries to secure a chain of command for the funds, giving you extra assurance that your donation is going where it's needed.

GoFundMe has dedicated teams and processes in place to help ensure that fundraisers are true and authentic.

Take a second to read the fundraiser's description before donating to make sure you're supporting the person or cause you intend to. This can help prevent people from using others' tragedies or causes for personal gain.

Even if a random person starts a GoFundMe, the money goes directly to the person or cause named.

GoFundMe spokesperson Bobby Whithorne says the company has spoken with the campaign organizer, the beneficiary, and local authorities to guarantee the money will be deposited directly into a family member's bank account.

The beneficiary gets the money directly from GoFundMe, not the campaign organizer. This is true even if the campaign is created on behalf of another individual.

If you're unsure about a campaign, you can reach out to the campaign organizer or GoFundMe directly. They have a team of people to answer questions about donors and vet information about campaigns.

GoFundMe has its share of scammers, just like charities. Scammers target the site by setting up fake pages using stolen photos and stories, often broadcasting their appeal on social media sites.

A family from Tennessee discovered a fake GoFundMe page set up using a photo of their 7-year-old who suffered brain impairment after almost drowning in a swimming pool. The scammer simply stole their photos and others he found online.

Other scammers invent stories using stolen pictures and post appeals for money on social media sites. Some even claim they'll donate to needy causes but never do.

Scammers are targeting GoFundMe, a personal crowdsourcing site, by setting up fake pages that use stolen photos and stories to trick people into donating.

A family from Tennessee discovered that a fake GoFundMe page had been set up using a photo of their 7-year-old who suffered brain impairment after almost drowning in a swimming pool.

Scammers are also inventing stories and using stolen pictures to broadcast their appeal for money on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.

Some scammers have been known to post appeals for money they say they will donate to needy causes and various charities but never do.

A scammer contacted a recently bereaved man whose wife had died after childbirth complications and offered to set up a fund to collect donations for the family, which the man agreed to, but the money was never handed over.

Crooks may set up lookalike pages to trick people into believing they're donating to a GoFundMe page.

The site itself is full of genuine stories with happy endings, but it's essential to be aware of the risks.

GoFundMe points out that "fees are deducted from each donation", so be sure to understand the terms before donating.

People can indeed lie about their GoFundMe causes, but the risk is relatively low. Abuse of the system occurs in less than 1/10th of 1% of all campaigns.

GoFundMe has staffers involved in the process, making it harder for fraud to occur. This added layer of oversight helps prevent intentional misleading campaigns.

However, it's still possible for people to fake an illness or hardship to cash in on a concerned public. GoFundMe's guarantee protects donations in case of intentional misleading campaigns, issuing a full refund.

Donors can rest assured that their money is relatively safe, thanks to GoFundMe's guarantee.