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now more than ever, please vet gofundmes before you donate.
copy and paste descriptions into google to see if there are scam accounts reusing the same story, check to see if there are any images/updates on the fund with faces. go to the original blog, check if the post asking for help is only an hour old, or even less than that. refrain from donating if all it links to is a PayPal account, without any further confirmation of identity.
it’s horrible to say but it’s never been a better time for scam artists to exploit your generosity, when things seem so dire, and I’ve donated to campaigns before only to realise later that the entire story was stolen from an actual family in need. due diligence might take a few more minutes out of your day but at least you won’t be sending money to an opportunistic scumbag.
for campaigns on tumblr: please check out @/el-shab-hussein's list of verified fundraisers here on tumblr and also @/nabulsi. they both do incredible work at vetting campaigns.
there is also this spreadsheet made by @/nabulsi and @/el-shab-hussein.
other places to find vetted fundraisers are the operation olive branch spreadsheet and also gazafunds.