Texas Shooting Yields Scams Exploiting Tragedy For Personal Gain

AUSTIN, TX — It's difficult to conceive there are people who would exploit a human tragedy for personal financial gain, yet there is never a shortage of such opportunists emerging from the darkest recesses of society's underbelly. Last Sunday's massacre at Sutherland Springs, Texas, that left 26 dead — the worst mass shooting in state history — is no exception as fraudsters capitalize on the tragedy with fake fundraising schemes.

A quick search of "church shooting" one week after the Nov. 5 massacre yielded 656 results on GoFundMe. Many are legitimately set up victims' families, but one can safely bet not all are above board given the sheer volume alone.

The Wilson County Sheriff's Office recently confirmed the identify of one fake account, a case that's since been referred to the FBI for further investigation. While the account appropriated the logo of the First Baptist Church where the slaughter took place, it contained an incorrect reference to the church's website — a dead giveaway as to its illegitimacy.

Related story: Texas Mass Shooting Victims: How You Can Help

"We understand that during a tragic event people want to reach out and help the victims and their families, Joe Tackitt Jr. wrote on Facebook. "While any and all help is appreciated please keep a close watch at who and what you donate to. As much as we like to believe that every Go Fund Me account or website is collecting money for the families, the reality is they are not."

The sheriff said his office is now working in tandem with the FBI and Texas Rangers to ensure all fake GoFundMe accounts are shut down. He urged members of the public coming across such fake accounts to notify his office via Facebook or by calling (830) 393-2535.

Some of Tackitt's Facebook followers noted their own discoveries of fake GoFundMe accounts, one detailing his refund after the crowdsourcing campaign to which he donated was deemed to be fake. Another resident said she reported another campaign using a photo of the 14-year-old pastor's daughter who was among the fatalities to secure ill-gotten gains. "The originator claimed to be the child's mother," the resident wrote on the Facebook thread. "GoFundMe pulled it within an our of being reported."

Time and again after tragedies, Americans have illustrated their capacity for kindness given the level of donations offered in a collective reflexive move to try to help in some way. Before the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, such altruistic outpouring of support was last seen in Texas following the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in August.

But how can one make sure causes are legit?

One red flag is the use of minimal detail given in the description for the fundraiser, Better Business Bureau officials have previously advised. Before making a donation, skeptical would-be donors can contact the creator of the campaign directly or via social media for more information before contributing.

One fail-safe method of contributing to victims is to donate directly to the account set up at a specified bank. In the case of Sutherland Springs, two bank accounts have been set up to help victims via the Sutherland Springs Community Association with Commerce Bank in Stockdale, Texas, and Wells Fargo Bank.

Other safe methods to donate include donations made to the PayPal account on the church's website. Or you can go old school — often the best, most reliable way — and mail a check directly to the church.

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