I have been dubious of the viral Go Fund Me campaign for a homeless veteran that raised $400,000 last year and thus did not promote it on this site. Sure enough it was a fraud:
Kate McClure, Mark D’Amico, Johnny Bobbitt
Mr Bobbitt and the couple first came to prominence in November 2017 when Ms McClure launched a crowdfunding GoFundMe campaign, which, they said, was to re-pay the debt of a homeless man who came to her aid at the side of a road.
A photograph of Ms McClure and Mr Bobbitt, a veteran and drug addict who had lived on the streets for several years, standing on the side of the road, fronted the fundraising campaign.
More than 14,000 people donated, many inspired by the story’s details, such as Mr Bobbitt instructing Ms McClure to lock her car doors before he returned with a can of petrol.
Officials said on Thursday they believe the photo was staged after the three met previously when Ms McClure and Mr D’Amico visited a casino near an underpass where Mr Bobbitt spent time. [BBC]
You can read the rest at the link, but they would have gotten away with this fraud if it wasn’t for the fact that Bobbitt sued McClure and D’Amico for more money than what they had given him. This caused an investigation which led to the discovery of the fraud.
This fraud is exactly why I have never given any money to Go Fund Me and I am very particular on where I donate my money to. I recommend everyone else should do so as well.
There are foolish people everywhere. Some are crooks. Some are victims. Some are both. Don’t be foolish.
One way to avoid scams is to only help the homeless through recognized agencies that have a low overhead and personnel trained to sort out those who really need help.
I like the Salvation Army. Most counties have an organization that helps the homeless.
Liz is right in that we’re all sinners who need a Savior. Illegitimi non carborundum, eh?
setnaffa
5 years ago
BTW, Ebenezer Scrooge was philosophically a Democrat before the ghosts changed his mind. He wanted his taxes, not his offerings to pay to help the poor. Studies show that’s a common practice on the left.
But none of us is perfect in word, thought, or deed, so find a way to hrlp someone every day, if possible. Even if it’s just a kind word, it might be the only one that person gets this month…
Liz
5 years ago
That’s good advice, Setnaffa. 🙂
a listener
5 years ago
“BTW, Ebenezer Scrooge was philosophically a Democrat before the ghosts changed his mind”
WTF 😛 😀 ?????
Dude, drunk typing is the bees knees isn’t it?
Rascal1212
5 years ago
This is what hurts people that have real needs and makes many of us suspicious. These three need to be abandoned in a remote area of the Yukon. I will grant them a bag of sunflower seeds. Not far from my house there is a dirty guy who sits at the exit of large shopping area with a sign “anything helps.” The owner of the nearest mom and pop told me this man has a house down the street and 2 cars.
ChickenHead
5 years ago
Go Fund Me should be renamed Please Pay For My Bad Life Choices.
Without exception, EVERY Go Fund Me hustle where I know the full story is somebody desperate to get unfuucked at everyone else’s expense, with no small degree of entitlement… or a predatory attempt to get others to pay for stuff they don’t want to pay for, with an attitude of “watch these suckers”.
The only way I would ever give anything to Go Fund Me is if PayPal would do online transfers of turds.
2 ID Doc
5 years ago
Only gave to one go fund me once. A former co-worker needed a couple hundred bucks to repair her car. I gave some and noticed several other former co-workers also gave. Very well respected veteran and all around good woman. A couple weeks later she sent me an e-mail thanking me again, got her car and a better job than the one she lost when her car conked out. I doubt I will ever give to another, Unless I personally know the person and the story.
setnaffa
5 years ago
“a listener”, look it up… Democrats give far, far less, percentage-wise, to help the poor and needy.
Actions speak louder than words. And if you don’t know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s pre-ghost “philanthropy” (i.e., “Are there no workhouses..” and “if they belike to die, then let them…”), I pity your upbringing. Maybe you need to watch a version of “A Christmas Carol” on YouTube or something?
Ad hominems just diminish your status. Especially when you’re ignorant at the top of your voice.
People suck.
There are foolish people everywhere. Some are crooks. Some are victims. Some are both. Don’t be foolish.
One way to avoid scams is to only help the homeless through recognized agencies that have a low overhead and personnel trained to sort out those who really need help.
I like the Salvation Army. Most counties have an organization that helps the homeless.
Liz is right in that we’re all sinners who need a Savior. Illegitimi non carborundum, eh?
BTW, Ebenezer Scrooge was philosophically a Democrat before the ghosts changed his mind. He wanted his taxes, not his offerings to pay to help the poor. Studies show that’s a common practice on the left.
But none of us is perfect in word, thought, or deed, so find a way to hrlp someone every day, if possible. Even if it’s just a kind word, it might be the only one that person gets this month…
That’s good advice, Setnaffa. 🙂
“BTW, Ebenezer Scrooge was philosophically a Democrat before the ghosts changed his mind”
WTF 😛 😀 ?????
Dude, drunk typing is the bees knees isn’t it?
This is what hurts people that have real needs and makes many of us suspicious. These three need to be abandoned in a remote area of the Yukon. I will grant them a bag of sunflower seeds. Not far from my house there is a dirty guy who sits at the exit of large shopping area with a sign “anything helps.” The owner of the nearest mom and pop told me this man has a house down the street and 2 cars.
Go Fund Me should be renamed Please Pay For My Bad Life Choices.
Without exception, EVERY Go Fund Me hustle where I know the full story is somebody desperate to get unfuucked at everyone else’s expense, with no small degree of entitlement… or a predatory attempt to get others to pay for stuff they don’t want to pay for, with an attitude of “watch these suckers”.
The only way I would ever give anything to Go Fund Me is if PayPal would do online transfers of turds.
Only gave to one go fund me once. A former co-worker needed a couple hundred bucks to repair her car. I gave some and noticed several other former co-workers also gave. Very well respected veteran and all around good woman. A couple weeks later she sent me an e-mail thanking me again, got her car and a better job than the one she lost when her car conked out. I doubt I will ever give to another, Unless I personally know the person and the story.
“a listener”, look it up… Democrats give far, far less, percentage-wise, to help the poor and needy.
Don’t take my word, even that famous right wing outlets the New York Times and the Huffington Post published it:
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/opinion/21kristof.html
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/19/giving-back-_n_3781505.html
And we’ll toss in a ringer:
https://www.dailysignal.com/2014/10/07/study-red-states-give-charity-blue-states/
Actions speak louder than words. And if you don’t know the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s pre-ghost “philanthropy” (i.e., “Are there no workhouses..” and “if they belike to die, then let them…”), I pity your upbringing. Maybe you need to watch a version of “A Christmas Carol” on YouTube or something?
Ad hominems just diminish your status. Especially when you’re ignorant at the top of your voice.