State rep. issues warning over scam GoFundMe page for 5 Derby kids killed in New York crash

(WFSB) - A Connecticut state representative issued a warning about a fake GoFundMe page that was set up following a car crash that killed five children from Derby.

State Rep. Mary Welander issued the warning on Monday evening.

Welander said the account was created in the name of the five children who were killed in a car crash in New York early Sunday morning.

“Please do not donate to any fund with a *gofundme.agency* address,” Welander said.

The legitimate fund is a “.com” website.

Welander said the fake site was also trying to profit from the loss of a fallen Chicago officer.

She said the website was reported.

GoFundMe provided a statement on the potential fraud.

“Committing fraud is illegal,” said Madison Jones, communications manager and spokesperson for GoFundMe. “GoFundMe has a zero tolerance policy for misuse of our platform, including imitating a GoFundMe fundraiser, and we cooperate with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing. We have reported the fake website, and it should be taken down immediately.”

Madison provided a link to the family’s real, verified fundraiser to help with funeral costs.

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