Consumer Advocate: Tips to safely participate in crowdfunding

In light of the recent tragedy in Surfside, Florida, where a building collapsed, many are searching for ways to help victims and their families. As with any disaster donations, beware of scammers preying on those looking to help.

One of the most popular ways to help victims when disaster strikes is crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is the concept of receiving multiple smaller sums of money from a large group of people. Most commonly, these sites can be found spread over social media sites to gain as much traction as possible. This can happen through sites such as GoFundMe, Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Each is a great way to help those in need but can also come with its own set of concerns.

Crowdfunding social platforms can be sketchy if not properly vetted. Scammers can create fake profiles on popular crowdfunding sites, claiming to collect money for victims of a tragedy. They will collect the money under false pretenses and the victims may never see a dime.

Ultimately, the BBB recommends turning to safe, reputable and reliable charity vetted by the BBB. These can be found on BBB.org. However, the BBB understands that turning crowdfunding sites during tragedies can be a faster and easier route. Use BBB’s tips to safely participate in crowdfunding:

• Know how crowdfunding sites are different. Some crowdfunding platforms vet postings and projects better than others. Check out the site’s description of its procedures.
• Photos don’t confirm connection with victims. Some crowdfunding postings use pictures of victims without the family’s permission. Don’t assume there is a special connection just because a photo appears.
• Know how funds will be used. Will the funds help pay for funerals, medical expenses, or some other purpose? Be cautious if the description is vague.
• Check for other resources or fundraisers. Review recent announcements from government agencies and other institutions that address how they will be assisting victims. This can help donors identify crowdfunding postings that might be duplicating those efforts.
• Search for the safest option. It is safest to give to crowdfunding postings of people you personally know. If that is not possible, the next best circumstance is to find out if the funds collected by a posting are going to be forwarded and distributed by an established charitable organization. In that case, the organization can be checked out and the involvement of a third-party organization can provide an additional level of oversight and assurance.

If you spot a scam, whether you've lost money or not, report it to BBB’s Scam Tracker at BBB.org/ScamTracker and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your story can help other consumers avoid similar scams.