PanicStation.org
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us Death, bereavement & serious family crises fake crowdfunding page • crowdfunding page in their name • fundraiser created without consent • memorial fundraiser scam • fake gofundme page • crowdfund impersonation • using a loved one’s name • bereavement donation scam • fraudulent fundraiser link • someone raising money in our name • unauthorised memorial page • grief scam fundraiser • bogus funeral fundraiser • crowdfund page not authorised • donations sent to scam • identity theft after death • charity fraud online • impersonation fundraiser

What to do if…
you discover a crowdfunding page was created in a loved one’s name without your consent

Short answer

Take screenshots and report the fundraiser to the platform immediately to get it removed or frozen before more people donate or money is paid out.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t send sensitive documents (ID photos, Social Security number, bank details) to the organizer or anyone emailing you about “verification.”
  • Don’t fight it publicly in comments while it’s still live — it can boost visibility and bring in more donations.
  • Don’t share the link widely “to warn people” if that might spread it further; warn people without amplifying it.
  • Don’t click links from messages claiming to be the platform; go directly to the platform website/app you already trust.
  • Don’t assume it’s harmless if it “sounds supportive.” If it wasn’t authorized, treat it as potentially fraudulent until confirmed.

What to do now

  1. Save proof (fast, simple). Screenshot the fundraiser, URL, organizer name/handle, claimed relationship, where funds are going, images, updates, and comments. Note the date/time you found it.
  2. Report the fundraiser inside the platform right away. Use “report,” “fraud,” “impersonation,” or “unauthorized fundraiser,” and clearly say: This fundraiser uses my loved one’s name without consent and is not authorized by the family/estate. Please freeze/remove it and stop payouts.
  3. Contact the platform’s official support channel to request a freeze/takedown. Ask for a case number and request confirmation that payouts are paused while reviewed.
    • If your loved one has died and the page claims to raise money “for the family,” state you are next of kin / executor / authorized representative (if true) and can provide proof through the platform’s official process if needed.
  4. Warn likely donors without spreading the live link. Message close family/friends and anyone you know was asked to donate: “There’s an unauthorized fundraiser circulating. Please don’t donate. If you already did, contact the platform to request a refund.” Prefer screenshots over sharing the live URL.
  5. If money was taken (or you suspect fraud), report it to federal reporting channels.
    • Report scams and fraud to the FTC at the federal scam reporting portal.
    • If identity information is being misused (yours or a family member’s), use the federal identity theft recovery site.
    • File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if the scam was online and involved payments or broad solicitation.
  6. If you think your personal info is now at risk, add a protective pause (optional). Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus once the fundraiser is being handled — you don’t need to do everything at once.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether to pursue a lawsuit, contact the press, or confront the organizer.
  • You do not need to build a complete list of donors today — focus first on stopping the fundraiser and payouts.
  • You do not need to write a long explanation. A short “unauthorized — please don’t donate” message is enough for now.

Important reassurance

Finding something like this during grief can feel violating and unreal. Your job right now is simply to stop further harm: document it, get it frozen/removed, and notify the smallest circle needed to prevent more donations. You can sort out blame, refunds, and next steps later.

Scope note

These are immediate stabilization steps. Follow-up (refunds, identity misuse cleanup, legal options, longer reporting) depends on the platform, the organizer’s identity, and whether personal information was used.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you’re being threatened or feel unsafe, contact local law enforcement. If you receive messages claiming to be from the platform, independently navigate to the platform’s official site/app rather than using links provided in emails or DMs.

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