*Anyone aware of problems with individuals accessing their GoFundMe funds?

[elleng]

A small business/bakery near me opened an account, due to need during covid. Many contributed, and the bakery is unable to access those funds.

[SheltieLover]

1. K&R!

[elleng]

2. Thanks, SheltieLover.

I'm sad, and anxious for this small business.

She/they wrote this:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 🚨🚨
"Save Patisserie Manuel Campaign"
Dear Clients and friends of Patisserie Manuel,
In June of 2020, my beloved cousin Melanie, ran a GoFundMe campaign to support the Patisserie which was having financial issues (and currently is) due to the serious economic crisis caused by COVID-19.
Thanks to your action, we were able to raise more than 8 thousand dollars. This money was meant to pay rent in July which I have been promising my Landlord ever since. Since them, we have been attempting to withdraw the monies from GoFundMe unsuccessfully.
GoFundMe claims that my Company’s account cannot be verified. Since then, they have asked me to provide personal identification, the bank account, my driver’s license again and again and GoFundMe does not give us a clear explanation of why they cannot verify the account.
To make matters worse, I have been told by several of you that GoFundMe is returning the donations that you lovingly sent us through the campaign which puts me in a tight spot for lacking the financial muscle to pay the rent and possible eviction. Moreover, all this time GoFundMe has decided to stay behind emails giving us no possibility to talk to anyone there.
Indeed, we are always waiting for them to respond to our emails. We have gone back and forth more than 10 times. This has caused me tremendous pain and anxiety and deepen our economic crisis.
We will give you an update once we have more info.
Thanks for your understanding.
Claudia

[SheltieLover]

3. Yw, Ellen!

Do they have an attorney? This is very disturbing!

[elleng]

4. Wondering the same thing, and tho I hate to suggest they incur more expense,

will do so next.

[SheltieLover]

5. It is all I can think of.

Have they contacted bank to see if gofundme has tried to verify account?

[SheltieLover]

6. Could legal aid help?

Covid business funds?

[elleng]

7. I just heard from her. She wrote:

'There is SO many companies with the same problem with GFM. They even don't have any explanation why my info can't be verified. This is TERRIBLE!!
And yes I do have an attorney, we will talk tomorrow to see what we can do.'

SO, inform EVERYONE to beware of GFM.

[SheltieLover]

8. So glad she has qn attorney!

Will do!

Has GFM turned into repuke money grab scam? This is awful!

Please ask her to report to AG, ProPublica & other media outlets!

Ty for sharing & please keep us updated!

[elleng]

9. Will do!

[SheltieLover]

10. BBB Complaint?

https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/redwood-city/profile/crowdfunding/gofundme-1116-876254/complaints

They have good rating.

But please tell her to only do this if lawyer can't help, or says this is ok to do.

[elleng]

12. OK.

Other 'fans' of hers are writing (on FB,) so she's getting lots of info and suggestions.

[SheltieLover]

11. Article on this!

From April.

https://www.eater.com/2020/4/23/21228405/gofundme-restaurant-campaigns-issues-troubles-coronavirus-covid-19

[elleng]

13. THANKS.

[SheltieLover]

14. You are most welcome!