How To Spot GoFundMe Scams

Look Before You Leap: How to Detect GoFundMe Scams

Is there anywhere on earth, including cyberspace, that is safe anymore? If it seems as if everyone is out to get you, that might not be a big stretch of the imagination in some places! It isn't a joking matter because there are scam artists out there who thrive on fraudulent schemes to bilk people of their hard-earned money.

Any crowdsourcing platform provides the perfect climate for fraud, and that's why you must learn to spot GoFundMe scams. Especially now, with all the trendy Ukraine fundraisers worldwide, truckers' support in Canada, and so on. Or, remember this below?

---

Scam Detectors Most Trusted Websites in Online Security

1. Guard.io (100): Surf the web safely. Clean up your browser, remove maliscious extensions and check for privacy violations.
2. Incogni.com (100): Delete your personal data from the internet and protect against scams and identity theft.
3. ExpressVPN (100) Stay secure and anonymous online - Best VPN Out There

---

As one of the leading crowdfunding platforms in use today, scam artists flock there by the hundreds, if not thousands, to see what kind of gullible people are willing to hand over their cash. If you are interested in what seems to be a legitimate plea for donations, take the time to learn how to spot GoFundMe scams before turning over a single penny.

Below we will also show you how to see if a website is legitimate or not.

Avoiding Investment Related Scams

Most often, GoFundMe is a platform for fundraising for charities and in response to tragedies and various losses people experience. However, many business ventures seek crowdfunding investments for startup capital. Some businesses draw upon the general public's sympathy after claiming losses due to weather events or other ‘acts of God.'

They prey on emotion. Who doesn't feel sorry for a small business that was bankrupt when a storm took down a power line, turning a shop into a burning inferno? They'll claim insufficient insurance cover to rebuild and put out a plea for money.

If you have been asked to donate to a business or charity, one thing you can do is to check out the website they reference as their official site. Look for a credit given to a web development team. Sometimes it can be a problem if it's a WordPress theme.

Nonetheless, if there is mention of a WordPress web designer who built a bespoke theme for that company or charity, then the WordPress web designer will be given credit for designing the site.

Beware Social Media GoFundMe Posts

One of the most concerning ways to fall prey to fraud is on social media platforms. After all, it is a place where people go to socialize, and emotions can run high. By trolling a platform such as Facebook, a fraudster can gain access to more than just the charities they might respond to. Hackers can gain control of your account, create a post asking for donations, and have racked up thousands before backing out and pulling the money out of GoFundMe.

Sometimes it takes days or even weeks before a member notices that they've been hacked. Unless they are very active and on the site every day, chances are slim that they will detect the scam perpetrated in their name. As mentioned, it's probably too late by the time they notice.

Social sites like Facebook are ripe for fraudulent activity because of how easy it's become to hack an account or troll Facebook groups. Hackers and scam artists have learned to navigate SEO, and those keywords lead them right to the people they want to target.

The best way to prevent being victimized on social media is to ensure your post settings are ‘private' and not ‘public.' It's harder for trolls to find your posts that way.

Fraud Prevention Through Research

One last thing you can certainly do is a bit of research if you are unfamiliar with the originator of the GoFundMe donation request. Sometimes a friend tags you in a GoFundMe request and other times, you see them on your page or the pages of friends you follow. Even if a friend has donated to a cause, it doesn't mean there is a cause! It seems we are all too eager to join in the endeavors of our friends, so don't let that be your referral.

You can check if an organization is legitimate by researching licenses and registries online. If it is a person you don't know, platforms like 192.com can help you prevent fraud. Other countries around the globe have similar search functions, but if a person exists and is reputable, there is almost always a way to find them if you have some basic information.

With all the above said, the critical bit of advice you can follow is to never let money out the door unless you know 100% without a doubt that the request is valid and there is no fraud intended.

Find Out If A Website Is Suspicious Here

If you feel a fundraising platform or website might be suspicious, feel free to verify it using our unique Scam Detector website validator below:

How To Report GoFundMe Scams

Let your family and friends know about the GoFundMe scams by sharing this article on social media. You can also officially report suspicious activities and crooks to the Federal Trade Commission using this link here:

Report To The FTC Here

How To Protect Yourself More

If you want to be the first one to find out the newest scams on a regular basis, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You'll receive periodic emails – no spam.

Meanwhile, educate yourself with some other social media scams right under this paragraph, so that you know how to stay safe online. Last but not least, feel free to use the comments section below to expose other scammers.

Payroll Scams: 7 Ways To Detect It

Facebook Newsfeed Limit Scam