Go Fund Me scam fraudulently collects money for Berlin businesses

BERLIN, Md. – As community members across Maryland step up to help businesses affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, scammers are apparently trying to take advantage of that help.

The town of Berlin posted on their Facebook page saying a Go Fund Me was circulating, claiming to be collecting money for local businesses.

But the page was a scam, according to town officials, and was not associated with any of the real businesses.

Ivy Wells, the Economic and Community Development Director for the town, tells 47 ABC that if you want to help local businesses out, the best way is to go through them directly.

“The things that do help the businesses are to purchase gift cards for future purchases and to buy things that can be shipped to you,” she said.

Wells tells 47 ABC that, as of now, there are no legitimate Go Fund Me pages for any businesses in Berlin, so if you see one, it is most likely fake.