Texas Issues Warning to GoFundMe Organizer Over Alleged Flood Relief Scam
Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued a warning letter to Tray Coppola, organizer of a GoFundMe campaign allegedly tied to Texas flood relief efforts, amid concerns the fundraiser may be fraudulent.
The letter, released Monday, notifies Coppola of alleged unlawful conduct and demands he preserve all campaign-related records. It also instructs him to immediately stop the campaign and return any collected donations. The campaign is currently under investigation to determine whether it was a scam designed to exploit donors seeking to help Texans affected by recent floods.
“Malicious schemes to swindle Americans who want to generously help our fellow Texans amidst this tragedy will be met with swift and forceful action from my office,” said Attorney General Paxton.
If evidence supports that the campaign was intentionally deceptive, Paxton’s office said it will pursue civil penalties, restitution, and court injunctions.
The Attorney General also warned the public to exercise caution when donating online and to verify charitable campaigns through trusted sources.
Individuals with concerns about online donation scams can contact the Office of the Attorney General for assistance.
Tips and Guidance to Aid with Charitable Giving
- Do not wire money or confirm financial or personal information, including bank account, credit card, or Social Security numbers.
- CharityWatch, formerly known as The American Institute of Philanthropy, is a charity watchdog group that helps donors make informed choices.
- GuideStar gathers data on millions of IRS-recognized nonprofits.
- Do not trust a name or phone number. Scammers often use fake names and phone numbers to disguise their identity and area code.
- Be vigilant against text message solicitations or “smishing” for donations.
- You can put your number on the Texas Do Not Call Registry (by visiting www.TexasNoCall.com or by calling toll-free at 1-888-309-0600) and the National Do Not Call Registry (by visiting www.donotcall.gov or by calling toll-free at 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236)).
Report suspected fraud to the Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division by calling toll-free 1-800-621-0508 or by filing an online complaint here.
