Lansing, MI - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is sharing information surrounding fundraising scams as tragedies such as the deadly shooting at Oxford High School can, sadly, attract bad actors.
“Thankfully thus far, our department has not received any reports of potentially fraudulent behavior surrounding opportunities to show support for the victims and the community of Oxford,” Nessel said. “We know that, unfortunately, that could change and there may be attempts to profit from this tragedy. My office stands ready to pursue bad actors and we urge Michiganders to report any suspected instances of fraud.”
Nessel is reissuing her Crowdfunding for Donations Consumer Alert to equip generous individuals with the tools needed to donate wisely.
Here are some questions to consider before donating:
Is it someone that you know? Is it someone that you trust? Is the amount being raised reasonable or does it seem excessive?
When giving to an individual, it can be difficult to know for sure that the recipient will use your donation as you intend it to be used. Use your best judgment; if in doubt, don't donate.
If the fundraiser is using a crowdfunding platform such as GoFundMe, take note of the description and organizer. If the organizer claims to be connected to the recipient, you can verify by searching their name online and on social media. Often other posts from the person will be public and can help verify authenticity.
Additionally, news articles will often feature verified fundraisers; lean on those if you're looking to give during times of community tragedy.
The Department provides a library of resources for consumers to review anytime on a variety of topics.
Your connection to consumer protection is just a click or phone call away. Consumer complaints can be filed online at the Attorney General's website, or by calling 877-765-8388.