How do I know if a GoFundMe page is legitimate? Here are some tips

When tragedy strikes, many people turn to crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe to raise money for those affected. But how do you know that the fundraisers are legitimate?

While there have been thousands of successful and supportive GoFundMe campaigns , there also have been fake campaigns that slipped through the cracks.

In May 2025, for example, a fraudulent GoFundMe account raised more than $5,700 before it was taken down, USA TODAY reported . The account was created to make donors believe they were helping the family of one of three high school students killed in a crash in Florida.

"With over $30 billion raised from more than 200 million donations, GoFundMe offers users a dependable platform for fundraising," reads the GoFundMe website. "Our team works hard to ensure all funds raised on our platform are used only as stated in the GoFundMe story and that all donations are delivered securely to the right person."

So how does the platform verify its fundraisers, and what can you do to ensure your money is going to the right place? Here's what we know.

How does GoFundMe verify fundraisers?

GoFundMe has a "team of experts working around the clock" to review fundraisers and prevent misuse, a company spokesperson said.

To keep the platform safe, its Trust and Safety team works with fundraiser organizers to confirm their connection to the person or family they are raising funds for and help them set up beneficiaries, the spokesperson said. The beneficiary's personal information must be verified before funds are transferred.

To verify a fundraiser, it must be clear who the organizer is, along with the entity they are raising funds for, the organizer's relationship to the recipient and how the funds will be used.

Additionally, for a fundraiser to be considered verified, it must go through a "robust human review" as well as technical tools designed to catch misuse.

As detailed by the spokesperson, the company's Trust and Safety protections also include machine learning to catch higher-risk donations, image and video review to prevent abusive behavior, and partnerships with law enforcement.

How to tell if a GoFundMe page is legitimate

In general, the safest way to donate through a crowdfunding campaign is to give to campaigns organized by people you know and trust, says the Federal Trade Commission .

The FTC recommends that donors do some research, remain vigilant when donating, and conduct a reverse image search of photos used on the campaign page.

"If the images on the campaign's crowdfunding site also appear under another crowdfunding campaign, or if they're associated with names different from those on the campaign website you're considering donating to, walk away," the FTC says.

For GoFundMe fundraisers specifically, the company spokesperson offers donors the following tips to consider when checking a campaign:

• Review the fundraiser page:Does the fundraiser have a clear title, image and story?

• Understand the use of funds:What is the purpose of the fundraiser, and is the organizer transparent about how funds will be used?

• Check the beneficiary connection:How is the organizer related to the recipient of the funds?

• Look at the comments and donations: Are direct relatives, friends or community members making donations and leaving supportive comments, and sharing on social?

If a donor has any questions about a fundraiser on GoFundMe, they can use the "contact" button to reach the organizer directly.

The GoFundMe Giving Guarantee

Through the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee , donors are guaranteed a full refund if something isn't right. The company's website says donations of any amount are covered for one full year after you donate.

How to report a fundraiser on GoFundMe

If a donor has unanswered questions or concerns about a fundraiser, they can click the "Report fundraiser" flag to alert the company, said the spokesperson, who added, "We take these reports very seriously."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: GoFundMe scam warning, how to tell if page is legitimate