Fake donation site set up for lone plane crash survivor
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)- Saturday’s plane crash brought about many emotions.
Unfortunately, con-artists take advantage of tragic incidents like this one by creating fake donation web sites.
Sharane
Gott, with the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana, said, “Such a horrible
event. Everybody’s heart is just full of emotion and scammers take advantage of
that.”
And they’ve already begun.
The
website Gogetfunding.com looks legitimate. But, a con-artist used the name and
picture of crash survivor Wade Berzas to create a fake page with a $5,000 goal,
it says will go to medical expenses.
“If it’s on a GoFundMe site, eventually you will be able to know, but
there’s no magic wand,” explained Gott. “Now, if it’s not on
GoFundMe, which is an accredited business that you can trust, then I would say
be very cautious.”
Berzas’ family has said they did not authorize the site, nor do they know where
it came from.
Meanwhile, there is a legitimate GoFundMe page set up for the ground survivor from the plane crash, Danielle Truxillo Britt. As of this afternoon, it has received almost $30,000, more than its $2,000 goal.
Gott said, “Most people respect GoFundMe, so what happens is crooks use part of that to get that legitimacy. To get that credibility, and then we don’t read the whole thing or we don’t mouse over to see what the exact website is and so we don’t really know.
As of this evening, the web site asking for donations on Gogetfunding.com for Wade Berzas has shut down.