GoFundMe took down a widely shared fundraiser centered on an 81-year-old Texas man who was seen hauling luggage while trying to keep up with his wife's cancer-related bills, saying the campaign was built on false details.
What unraveled the story was the identity of the organizer, who presented as a concerned stranger but later admitted she was actually the couple's daughter.
Here's what to know
Before it was removed, the fundraiser for Donald and Josephine Johnson had collected nearly $290,000 and spread widely online, according to NBC News. GoFundMe said it refunded all donors.
Using the name Erin H., the organizer told donors she had come across Donald Johnson struggling with luggage on a staircase. She said that encounter led her to learn he was still doing demanding work because his wife's cancer bills were piling up.
GoFundMe said it received a tip that the organizer might have misrepresented who she was, NBC News reported. When the platform's investigators contacted her, she said she was the Johnsons' daughter and that the "concerned stranger" persona had been invented.
"Our Trust & Safety team identified factual misrepresentations, which directly violates our Terms of Service," the company told NBC News in a statement.
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The organizer said the rest of the family's story was accurate, but GoFundMe removed the page over the misleading presentation.
"Ensuring GoFundMe is a safe and trusted place to give and receive help is our top priority. Taking action like this allows GoFundMe to protect donors' generosity and our continued ability to support people who are fundraising to help others," GoFundMe said.
Where can I learn more?
There have been many questions about fundraisers, fraud, public trust, and who pays for the fallout.
• In Brownville, Maine, a family drew scrutiny after raising donations for the controversial feeding of wild deer on YouTube.
• After California's Eaton Fire, authorities said scams targeting towed cars preyed on disaster victims.
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