Greg's Corner

Scammers using names of slain first responders for profit

By Greg Collier

GoFundMe was conceived with a noble purpose, aiming to empower individuals to rally financial support for personal crises they lack the means to address. Initially, the platform primarily facilitated crowdfunding for urgent car or home repairs. However, reflecting the grim reality of healthcare costs in the United States, a significant portion of users now turn to GoFundMe to alleviate burdensome medical expenses. Tragically, this extends to families grappling with sudden funeral costs. Undoubtedly, GoFundMe has been instrumental in rescuing countless individuals from dire financial straits. Regrettably, as with any tool designed to aid people, malevolent actors inevitably seek to exploit it for nefarious ends.

Over the weekend, tragic news unfolded in Burnsville, Minnesota, as three courageous first responders lost their lives in the line of duty. Responding to an emergency call, two police officers and a paramedic were fatally shot by a heavily armed suspect who had barricaded himself inside his home. Adding to the heartbreak, seven children, aged 2 to 15, were present in the residence during the horrifying ordeal. The suspect ultimately took his own life before authorities could apprehend him.

Within hours of this devastating event, crowdfunding requests began to surface under the names of the fallen heroes. So pervasive was this exploitation of their sacrifice that the City of Burnsville felt compelled to issue a warning on its website, cautioning against online donation solicitations in the victims’ names. As of this reporting, no official donation funds have been set up for the families of the fallen.

GoFundMe prioritizes the battle against scammers with a robust approach. Their stringent verification procedures ensure the legitimacy of campaign organizers and beneficiaries. Moreover, they offer donors peace of mind by promptly refunding contributions made to fraudulent campaigns.

It’s crucial to exercise caution when considering donations through platforms like GoFundMe. Despite its positive mission, it can unfortunately become a breeding ground for deception. To mitigate the risk of falling victim to scams, it’s advisable to contribute only to GoFundMe campaigns verified by credible sources such as local news outlets or trusted acquaintances.