Extracts from replies made by GFM to my emails, which commenced with me asking for the name of the country in which the account was held for receiving donations via GFM:-
"Unfortunately, we are unable to disclose any information regarding where the account-holder is processing the donations without the Campaign Organizer's permission.
Do you happen to have a link to the campaign?
If you believe someone is committing fraud or breaking the law in any other way, please report the campaign to our Trust & Safety Team by following these steps "
--------------------------------------------------------------
"Yuliya stepped away, but I can
jump in to help.
With thousands of campaigns being created on GoFundMe every
day, there is no way for us to guarantee the validity of every single campaign,
or note when the Campaign Organizer changes. Whenever you make a donation to a
Personal campaign, like the one you are referring to, the funds are made
available to the account holder directly. As such, we must always recommend that
you only donate to people you know and trust."
-----------------------------------------------------
"Hi Madison
Following on from that, is it not the policy of GoFundMe to check the
credentials of anyone taking over from the campaigner of an existing appeal?"
-----------------------------------------------------
"I can assure we keep an eye on account transfers, but if you believe someone is committing fraud or breaking the law in any other way, please report the campaign to our Trust & Safety Team by following these steps: "
-------------------------------------------------------
So, it appears that whilst GFM are quite happy to allow their banner to continue being displayed behind a campaign which has changed hands since its inception, they take no responsibility whatsoever for checking the credentials of the new account holder. The appeals page has no reference to the original Facebook Verified campaign organiser and GFM makes no statement to ensure people are made aware that changes have been made.
