I am an 80-year-old disabled widow.

[chillfactor]

I need a walker to get around and am mostly housebound. I live on social security and during the winter months there is not enough money to make it through each month. My electricity will be turned off on the 25th of this month and I am almost out of propane. I have tried to set up a payment plan with the electric company but it is all or nothing with them. Propane companies want money up front before they will deliver. I have tried to get help from various state agencies, but my social security check is $75 over the limit for help and no state agency will help me. My lease is up the end of April and I will be moving to a place for less rent that also includes utilities. I can’t wait.

I have set up a gofundme account:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/disabled-widow-in-need

If you have any pennies to spare I would be ever so grateful.

[Sienna86]

1. Please check link

It’s not working.

[Ptah]

3. ..

https://www.gofundme.com/f/disabled-widow-in-need

[Ptah]

2. fixed link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/disabled-widow-in-need

[Arkansas Granny]

4. Kick

[Demsrule86]

14. Well, I hope it is legit because I sent money...I can't stand to think of someone going without heat

right now.

[Arkansas Granny]

17. I never donate what I can't afford and I hope I'm not being scammed.

If it's legit, I'm happy to help. If not legit, it's on her conscience.

[Skittles]

38. it's not legit

why don't they respond to our questions?

[Arkansas Granny]

39. It appears that you're right. That's a chance you take when you don't have direct knowledge of the

As I said, I could afford the amount I gave and my conscience is clear. I'll remember that name, however.

[Skittles]

40. I think chillfactor was originally a legit poster

I think their account has been hijacked by someone who continually begs for money.

[MLAA]

5. Visited your site, good luck!

[badhair77]

6. Kick

[tblue37]

7. K&R for visibility. nt

[VOX]

8. I'm sorry, but you've asked for money multiple times on DU over the years.

You’ve also run multiple GoFundMe accounts in the past for food and propane, in Minnesota as well as New Mexico.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-i-am-in-dire-straits

I do not wish to be hard-hearted, but there seems to be a pattern here. Whether it’s deliberate or you’re confused, I cannot know. Regardless, this is a repeating problem that needs to be addressed beyond asking for money on DU, Facebook and crowdfunding sources. Do you have any family or friends who could help you straighten things out?

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-i-am-in-dire-straits
December 14, 2019:
“I am 78 years old and disabled. Most of the year I can handle living on my social security but the winter months are terribly difficult with the extra cost of heating. I am behind now on my electric bill and the company is threatening to turn off my electric power in a few days.. My propane tank is almost empty and it s very cold in New Mexico this time of the year through March. I am in desperate need of help. Your help would enable me to be able to cook my meals and keep me warm.“

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210017587

https://www.democraticunderground.org/100210017378

NOTE: ALL INFO BELOW WAS WRITTEN BY OTHER DUers IN THE PAST:
She has a history of GoFundMe accounts
https://www.gofundme.com/profile/sandy-vensland-wxzsp

From DU, December 2017: “Googling shows she has had at least five ‘GoFundMe’ accounts over the past few months and has brought in over $4,000 dollars.”

In one she says she lives alone.
In another she says her husband was injured.
In one she's 76 years old. In another she's 73.

I am 76 years old, alone, and disabled. I have 39 cents in my account.
$1,350 raised of $700 goal

I am in dire need of a propane delivery. My tank is almost empty ...
$700 raised of $350 goal

My husband, age 62, In mid-February 2017 my husband slid off the bed ...
$1,391 raised of $9,800 goal

This past Friday our community lost electrical power.
$300 raised of $200 goal

Hello!I am 73 years old and disabled. I have run out of propane ...
$314 raised of $269 goal

https://www.gofundme.com/f/to-buy-groceries
to buy groceries
$300 raised

https://www.gofundme.com/f/skvnewmexico
Help! I need a propane delivery!
$700 raised

https://www.gofundme.com/profile/sandy-vensland-wxzsp
I live on social security. My propane tank is almost empty. I live in NM in the mountains and it is very cold. I need $300 to get a delivery.

[cwydro]

9. I thought this looked familiar.

Thanks for your post.

[VOX]

12. You're welcome. Hate to see this.

Someone is doing well via crowdfunding. Here’s another appeal from last December that netted $1,168.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-i-am-in-dire-straits
December 14, 2019:
“Help! I am in dire straits!”
$1,168 raised of $1,000 goal

[cwydro]

18. Yes, there've been a few of these over the years.

Who can forget TTW?

[nolabear]

23. I was trying to remember her. That went on forever.

We’re a generous lot and sometimes we get taken. I hate that because if the need is real I don’t mind kicking in.

[MrsCoffee]

10. None of your links show anything about Minnesota.

I’m not sure what your links are supposed to prove. One of the threads you link to was deleted and the person who wrote it apologized.

[VOX]

11. In that old link you mention, read the back-and-forth between DUers.

It’s there that the multiple GoFundMe accounts are broached. I am NOT trying to be cruel. I’m worried about this woman. She clearly needs professional help beyond monetary assistance.

Here’s another GoFundMe from last December, “on behalf” of her “caretaker.”
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-i-am-in-dire-straits

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-i-am-in-dire-straits
December 14, 2019:
“Help! I am in dire straits!”
$1,168 raised of $1,000 goal

“I am 78 years old and disabled. Most of the year I can handle living on my social security but the winter months are terribly difficult with the extra cost of heating. I am behind now on my electric bill and the company is threatening to turn off my electric power in a few days.. My propane tank is almost empty and it s very cold in New Mexico this time of the year through March. I am in desperate need of help. Your help would enable me to be able to cook my meals and keep me warm.“


There are also multiple ages stated; I will not reveal that personal information myself, however, beyond what she self-reports.

[VOX]

13. Sorry, the MN reference was on FB...

Sandia Park, NM; Saint Paul, Minnesota; Minneapolis, MN.

I do this kind of work for a living. This individual needs help, she’s either confused, or someone’s taking advantage.

[Skittles]

16. MN and NM are in her profile

along with three children and eight grandchildren who apparently are not able to help her

[Stuart G]

22. Thank You VOX for your research. If she is a con artist, that is very sad. (more sad than being poor

Repeat requests for money are signs of a what she could be and is. If it were once, or twice, maybe legit. Over and over and over. ?? I don't know.

[VOX]

28. Someone is taking advantage, that much is clear.

Whether it is chillfactor or some posing as such.

[mzmolly]

32. It appears that family

has donated on Facebook.

Thanks for checking things out, as it may be suspicious regardless.

[VOX]

35. Note that on FB, there are no posts for 5 years prior to the $$$ appeal?

Sure feels like someone’s taking advantage, somewhere along the line. Possibly not the actual requestor.

[mzmolly]

36. Could be.

[Kali]

41. she has asked for help like this in the past

in the winter. if this is a scam it is pretty small scale. always in the winter, for smallish amounts. if you read the related threads from 2017 (here is another - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181020962) you can find an accounting of maybe a couple thousand dollars over many years. there is some extraneous shit included in your detective work. but a couple pertinent things are missing. the self deleted poster in the first thread has been banned, or at least PPRd long term.

the hidden OP in the second thread was written by me, here is what it said -

A DUer has asked for help.
earlier today DUer chillfactor posted a request for help and a link to a gofundme page and it got hidden. in the Lounge, of all places. I don't know her and she has asked for help a couple of times before, but I donated a little and feel the request is legit. some may feel otherwise and the detectives can do more diligence than I felt I needed to...on the other hand if it isn't a hardship on you, maybe kick in a little. a lot of people are suffering, and it is more than likely to get much worse before improving. in the spirit of the season and all that.

thanks

I am 76 years old, alone, and disabled. I have 39 cents in my account. I am almost out of propane, I am going to loose my internet and TV unless I can pay the bills. The TV and internet are my connections to the outside world as I am very isolated where I live and I have no vehicle. I have already lost my phone service. I also need groceries. It will be a very poor Christmas in this house. I would be very grateful for any help I can get, https://www.gofundme.com/apv875-help



DU profile - https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=291368

[Demovictory9]

42. wow. so many diff appeals

[Skittles]

15. chillfactor - are YOU Sandy Vensland?

it is a simple question

[spooky3]

20. You describe having multiple children and grandchildren. Can't

They help?

Longer run, can you move in with any of them?

After 30 years of teaching, don’t you have a pension as well as Social Security?

[VOX]

21. You've posted a another request for money on DU today.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=13011342

[cwydro]

24. Thanks for keeping an eye on this.

I saw all the other threads...different ages usually, but the same type pitch.

This kind of thing just serves to hurt those really in need. And make many of us more skeptical than we already are.

[VOX]

29. I've alerted "those who need to know" three times already...

Over a three-day period. But the posts still remain.

[Drahthaardogs]

25. Jesus, Mods - tombstone this scammer

DU is not the place for this anyway.

[spooky3]

26. Has anyone notified GoFundMe about these questions and inconsistencies? Nt

[VOX]

33. GoFundMe doesn't make reporting easy.

Here’s how they present it, with my comments in bold:

https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us/articles/203604694-Reporting-a-Campaign

Reporting a Campaign
<snip>
In the rare instances where people create campaigns with the intention to take advantage of others’ generosity, GoFundMe takes swift action to resolve the issue.

Our policy is simple and strictly enforced: It is not permitted to lie or intentionally deceive donors to a GoFundMe campaign for financial or personal gain.

Click here to report a campaign for fraud.

NOTE: AT THIS LINK, GoFundMe ASKS:
-Do you know the Campaign Organizer?
-How are you connected to the campaign?
-Which best describes you:
I am an individual concerned about this campaign

Which best describes you:
NOTE: CAN ANYTHING BELOW BE PROVEN?
-I am involved in a legal dispute with the campaign organizer
-This campaign includes libelous statements
-Campaign includes factually incorrect information
-Campaign organizer has not used funds for the stated purpose
-They are impersonating someone or copied another campaign
<snip>
The following are examples of expressly forbidden fraudulent activity:
NOTE: CAN ANY OF THESE BE PROVEN?
-Breaking the law
-Lying or being misleading about your identity as a campaign organizer or your relationship to the beneficiary of the funds
-Posting misleading statements in the campaign description
-Not delivering funds to the stated beneficiary
-Not using funds for their stated purpose

NOTE: HERE’S WHERE WE STAND:
The following are examples of situations that are not considered fraudulent on our platform:
-Rumors or speculation of fraud
-Requesting that your name or image be removed from a campaign description
-Disagreeing with the nature of the campaign or the character of the campaign organizer
-Custody or familial disputes or disagreements

GoFundMe cooperates with law enforcement and provides them with any information needed in an investigation. If you are a law enforcement officer looking to contact our team, please click here to submit a subpoena.

[spooky3]

34. Thank you! Nt

[Horse with no Name]

27. I am sorry you are going through this if you are

But this looks an awful lot like a scam.
Can you please address this?
I’d hate to think that people on the other side are laughing their asses off at the gullibility of DU.

[cwydro]

30. What scares me the most is it's some dotard supporter (or supporters) laughing their asses off.

This looks more and more shady.

Thank you to VOX and others DUers who pick up on this shite.

[WhiteTara]

31. Chillfactor, there is a program called

LIHEAP is run by health and human services and they will help you with your heating needs. I just tapped them for my propane and they told me that they would try to take care of electric too. Good Luck with it all!

[cwydro]

37. I think other DUers told her about that.

She came back with some reason why she couldn’t take advantage of it.

As VOX has pointed out, this request has some major red flags.