Online scammers have been trying to exploit last weekend's mass shooting to defraud unsuspecting people out of money, a popular fundraising website says.
In one such fraudulent campaign, someone claimed to be a member of the family of victims Greg and Jamie Blair, Caitlin Stanley, a spokesperson for GoFundMe, told the Moncton Times & Transcript.
The fake campaign used personal family photos to make it look like a similar, genuine campaign that was set up to support the couple's children, she said.
“We removed the campaign and all donors have been refunded,” said Stanley.
“When there is a tragedy, GoFundMe immediately begins monitoring the platform 24/7 for all new GoFundMe campaigns created to help the victims, families and the community,” she said.
Scott Beck, a cybersecurity expert with Riverview-based BeckTek, says it's become an all-too-common occurrence after high-profile tragedies.
The scammers comb legitimate fundraising campaigns and social media sites to add personal photos and details to their bogus sites, lending them credibility by making them look and read like the real thing, he said.
“When in doubt, call or reach out to [the fundraiser's organizer]," said Beck. "If they are legitimate, they are likely open to questions to verify things because they have nothing to hide.”
In the case of GoFundMe campaigns, there is an 'envelope' icon located next to each campaign organizer’s name to reach out to them. Alternatively, potential donors can also reach out directly to GoFundMe, said Stanley.
No reply from the organizer, or a reply that sounds suspicious, should be considered a red flag, she said. If this occurs, users can click the “Report Campaign” link.
“GoFundMe is difficult because it’s meant to be very flexible and fast," said Beck. "Anyone can set up a GoFundMe page.”
Due diligence, such as looking for links to the fundraising page from a legitimate organization or from a family member’s own websites or personal Facebook page, can help ensure your money is going where you intend it to go.
GofundMe works with campaign organizers to ensure the money is transferred to the right place and there are processes to verify identities and beneficiaries, said Stanley.
“Funds cannot be withdrawn from these fundraisers until campaign organizers identify who they are, who they are raising funds for, their relationship to the beneficiary and how the funds will be used,” she said.
The site also has a "GoFundMe Guarantee," meaning “Funds are guaranteed to go to the right place or donors will get a refund,” said Stanley.
While the refunds offer a degree of protection, the bottom line is that donors still need to think before they click, said Beck.
Sometimes, it’s still hard to be fully sure and even with policies designed to combat fraud, there is still some level of risk involved, especially if you don’t know any of the people involved, he said. On top of this, different fundraising sites have different policies.
If your heart is telling you to donate, said Beck, it’s always a good idea to donate an amount you're sure you feel comfortable giving and do your own due diligence before clicking.
Verified campaigns
GoFundMe has provided the Times & Transcript with a list of the following campaigns related to the Nova Scotia tragedy which they have verified as of Thursday, April 23. Other campaigns related to the Nova Scotia tragedy may continue to be verified in the future:
Individuals:
Const. Heidi Stevenson: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-the-family-of-cst-heidi-stevenson
Jolene Oliver, Emily Tuck and Aaron (Friar) Tuck: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nova-scotia-family-of-3-tradegy
Dawn and Frank Gulenchyn: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jon-farrington
John Zahl and Elizabeth Joanne Thomas: https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-the-zahl-family-nova-scotia-strong
Joey Webber: https://www.gofundme.com/f/joey-webber-wife-and-daughters-fund
Kristen Beaton: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-kristen-beaton
Greg and Jamie Blair: https://www.gofundme.com/f/showing-love-and-strength-for-greg-amp-jamies-boys
Heather O'Brien: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-obrien-family
Gina Goulet: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-gina
Lisa McCully: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lisa-mccully-children-fundraiser
Sean McLeod and Alanna Jenkins: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sean-amp-alanna
The family of Corrie Ellison: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-clinton
Peter and Joy Bond: https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-peter-and-joy-bond
General Funds:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/novascotiastrong
https://www.gofundme.com/f/1zg99qyfxc
https://www.gofundme.com/f/families-affected-by-ns-shooting
https://www.gofundme.com/f/9k96c-supporting-families-of-the-nova-scotia-tragedy
