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Showing Original Post only (View all)Corey Baker gofundme UPDATE plus resources for recovering funds [View all]
Last edited Wed Feb 22, 2017, 11:16 PM - Edit history (3)
There have been a few threads on this subject, but I wanted to provide ideas and resources to those who may have given to the Corey Baker GoFundMe (or any suspect campaign) that was solicited here and now appears to have been been intentionally deceptive in nature.
Even if you did not give, you may still be able to help the many kind DU'ers who did give, see their funds returned. DU is a very kind community predisposed to extending our hands to those in need. While of course caution is always prudent, this solicitation was posted under an account that has been active at DU since 2004, and played on the trust we have for one another.
When making a report to gofundme, it may be helpful to include the words "intentionally deceived" or some variation thereof when describing what you feel was done. This is a part of their language in describing what circumstances allow for a refund of money given. You do not need to be a contributor to make a report on a campaign.
Here is a direct link to file a report on the Corey Baker gofundme account: https://www.gofundme.com/contact?t=donation_page_report&url=27-year-old-injured-in-car-accident
Here is a link to file a claim with gofundme for the return of your funds from any gofundme campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/mvc.php?route=contact/form&pid=3349
You will need the URL of the campaign you contributed to. I have included the Corey Baker URL here for anyone who should need it. https://www.gofundme.com/27-year-old-injured-in-car-accident
ALSO: If you give to a charitable fund with a bank card or credit card, and you soon after find the charity to be fraudulent, call the number on the back of your card. Many times customer service will be able to reverse the charges for you without any cost to you.
Some DU'ers have already succeeded in having their funds returned, so this is good news. Although I did not give, it matters to me that the good, kind people who did give see their money returned. It matters to me that something like this does not erode the community and trust we have for one another, so that DU'ers in genuine crisis are still able to get the help they need here.
This post is not intended in any way to pass judgement on the as-of-yet still active account of Corey_Baker08. It is meant only to assist the many good DU'ers who were misled and exploited into giving money under a false pretense with an emotional and manipulative chicane.
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UPDATE: I was contacted tonight at 7pm by the Richmond Indiana Police Department, and informed that they will be taking this matter up.
The Facebook account connected to the gofundme in question listed Richmond Police officer Mark Sutton as a friend, which should prove of some value to them.