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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that stories with a GoFundMe attached should have to be more honest?

33 replies

hlion · 08/09/2026 19:57

I have seen lots of posts on other social media recently of people sharing stories and then an associated GoFundMe page.

The story is usually “something has gone wrong and now we need funds to help” but I always think that this is clearly half a story and isn’t strictly honest.

I’d be so much more like to donate to “we had holiday insurance but stupidly didn't realise it didn’t cover this activity and now we really need help to cover medical costs” rather than “we had an accident and need help”.

Putting a little bit more information and honesty would also discourage the scathing comments saying people are being grabby etc!

I also think if you haven’t had insurance for xyz, or hadn’t planned carefully the you should be honest! If anything it would again make me more likely to donate as it’s clear you’ve realised you made a mistake and now need help rather than pretending it’s not down to your error

AIBU to think Go Fund Mes should have to be more upfront and honest?

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock000 · 08/09/2026 20:23

hlion · 08/09/2026 20:20

if someone has died and they left a family then I get why they need help, especially if no money for a funeral etc. but in an instance of say, needing help after a holiday injury, I don’t see why we shouldn’t know if this person had adequate insurance or decided not to bother etc

Show quote history

As I said I am not drawn to those requests, and I don’t scroll through the website to read people’s stories, if I see something horrendous on the news or locally then I’ll actively search for the go fund me to donate.

Original poster
hlion · 08/09/2026 20:20

EmeraldShamrock000 · 08/09/2026 20:17

That’s not my experience. They are usually set up when a tragedy occurs and there is no life insurance as it is a young person and unexpected or someone has been a hero.
I have donated in the past and will do in the future when it is a desperate situation, life ending or life limiting.
You don’t have to know the juicy details.

if someone has died and they left a family then I get why they need help, especially if no money for a funeral etc. but in an instance of say, needing help after a holiday injury, I don’t see why we shouldn’t know if this person had adequate insurance or decided not to bother etc

OP posts:
Original poster
hlion · 08/09/2026 20:18

Backedoffhackedoff · 08/09/2026 20:12

Do you ever give money to peoples stories? How much would you say you donate?

i have a theory that people who think like this never donate to anything anyway so what they think doesn’t really matter because they’re not the target market

I have probably donated actually via Go Fund Me itself maybe 3 or 4 times.

I do regularly donate to the local hospice, local rspca and MacMillan.

I’d be more inclined to donate to a personal story if it was fully truthful though. I am probably more cautious that it’s people trying it on etc on something like GoFundMe

OP posts:
EmeraldShamrock000 · 08/09/2026 20:17

That’s not my experience. They are usually set up when a tragedy occurs and there is no life insurance as it is a young person and unexpected or someone has been a hero.
I have donated in the past and will do in the future when it is a desperate situation, life ending or life limiting.
You don’t have to know the juicy details.

pestowithwalnuts · 08/09/2026 20:16

SomethingNewish · 08/09/2026 20:10

As far as I'm concerned GoFundMe is begging.
On principal i don't give money to GoFundMe people so it wouldn't make any difference to me how they present their stories.
I do have standing orders for various recognised reputable charities that I support.

Agreed.
I much more prefer to give my money to Breast Cancer..McMillan or my local hospice than to folks who are begging because their own incompetence put them in this situation

Allseeingallknowing · 08/09/2026 20:12

I would probably help someone with a medical condition, who needed to raise money to get treatment not offered on the NHS, or some equipment to make their life easier, eg special wheelchair, superior prosthetic limbs but in the case of those who have taken a risk with their travel insurance, or lack of it, even admitting their mistake, no- they’ll have to raise the money within the family, get a loan, sell stuff etc.

Backedoffhackedoff · 08/09/2026 20:12

Do you ever give money to peoples stories? How much would you say you donate?

i have a theory that people who think like this never donate to anything anyway so what they think doesn’t really matter because they’re not the target market

SomethingNewish · 08/09/2026 20:10

As far as I'm concerned GoFundMe is begging.
On principal i don't give money to GoFundMe people so it wouldn't make any difference to me how they present their stories.
I do have standing orders for various recognised reputable charities that I support.

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