How close were y'all with "Corey Baker"?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

106. I came a little late to this party,

after several people had started wondering whether this was legit. I read the various posts and did a little sleuthing on my own, more out of curiosity than anything else. Like others, I found no news reports of any accident involving a "Corey Baker," although one as serious as was described would certainly have appeared in local media.

His Facebook page, now evidently removed, indicated that he lives in Richmond, IN, which is just across the Ohio border and not far from Dayton, so the part of the story describing general location of the alleged accident is plausible - but it doesn't seems to have happened, at least as far as news reports go. But on Spokeo I did find a listing for a Corey A. Baker, age 27, in Richmond, IN, who is related to an Aaron Baker. I found Aaron Baker, age 28, related to Corey Baker, in Greenville, OH, formerly from Richmond, IN. So it appears that there is a real Corey and a real brother named Aaron, but whether either of these people were responsible for the fund solicitations on DU and Gofundme, or whether those requests were by imposters, seems undetermined.

In any event, I'd say that whenever these requests appear, you don't have to assume automatically that they are scams, but always at least consider the possibility that they could be. It is not unkind to request more information - it can be done without making accusations. If the reason for the request is that someone has been injured in an accident, as in this case, look for a link to a news report. Look for information about where it occurred (so local police can be contacted if necessary). Look for other social media information. If you are the person making a request for yourself or someone else, include enough independently-verifiable information that potential donors can confirm the basis for the request and don't feel nervous about donating.

When I reread the original DU posts as well as the Gofundme request, I was struck by how the poster never offered to verify any of the information, but instead ratcheted up the alleged desperation and the amount of money needed, and accused doubters of being unkind and insensitive. It just wasn't passing the smell test.

And don't let the requester or other DUers shame you for being skeptical or cautious. Everybody wants to be helpful, but there are, unfortunately, people who prey on the kind impulses of others. Be careful and don't allow yourself to be guilted into contributing to one of these requests unless you're sure it's real. You are entitled to know that you aren't giving your money to a crook.