PR Playbook: What to Do If a Fraudulent Fundraiser Uses Your Name

Hook: Your name is being used to raise money — fast action decides whether you lose fans or fix the story

Imagine waking up to DMs, tagged screenshots, and a GoFundMe titled with your name asking for emergency cash. Your followers are donating. Your sponsors are texting. The fundraiser is fake. Panic would be normal — but panicked moves make reputational damage worse. This playbook gives creators and influencers a step-by-step, 2026-ready crisis-response plan for when a fraudulent fundraiser uses your name: immediate actions, platform reporting scripts, refund instructions for donors, legal options, and long-term reputation repair.

Why this matters now (2026 context)

By 2026: synthetic IDs, deepfake audio, and template-driven fundraising scams are more effective and faster to scale. Platforms have improved tools — expedited takedowns, verified fundraiser labels, and built-in refund flows — but fraudsters move faster. High-profile examples like the Mickey Rourke GoFundMe incident in January 2026 show two things: influencers can be targeted by their own teams, and public clarity (or the lack of it) shapes outcome. If you don’t control the first 72 hours of the narrative, you lose leverage.

Immediate 0–3 hour triage: Stop the bleeding

When a fraudulent fundraiser appears using your name or image, rapid, calm, and factual action matters. Use this checklist in the first three hours.

• Confirm the scam — screenshot the fundraiser page, URLs, fundraiser creator name, date/time, and any social posts that promoted it. Time-stamp everything.
• Lock public communication — post a short, clear statement on your main channels: I did NOT create or authorize this fundraiser. Do NOT donate. I am taking action now. Use the same message across pinned posts, Instagram Stories, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and your email list.
• Activate your team — notify your manager/agent, PR contact, and legal counsel immediately. Give them access to screenshots and links.
• Report to the fundraiser platform — use the platform’s “report” or “fraud” flow and tag the campaign as impersonation. Most platforms (GoFundMe, PayPal, Givebutter) have expedited lanes for impersonation claims.
• Inform payment processors — if possible, report the campaign to Stripe, PayPal, or the processor named on the fundraiser. Ask for payment holds.
• Ask followers to stop donations — include a short refund instruction and a link to the official fundraiser report page on the platform (or to the platform’s help center).

Exact short statement (copy-paste)

I DID NOT create or authorize any fundraiser using my name. Please do NOT donate. I am working with the platform and authorities to take this down and get refunds. If you donated, here’s how to request a refund: [step-by-step]. I’ll update you shortly.

Report routes and refund mechanics: Platform-by-platform quick guide (2026)

Each fundraising or social platform has a slightly different flow. Below are the fastest reporting paths and what to expect in 2026.

GoFundMe

• Use the “Report” button on the campaign page and select “This is a fundraising scam” or “This is impersonating someone.”
• Contact GoFundMe support with proof of impersonation (IDs, links to your official account). GoFundMe’s donor protection processes usually trigger a review and may hold funds while investigating.
• Ask donors to request refunds through the campaign page under “Contact the organizer” and by following GoFundMe’s refund request form. Provide donors with a step-by-step in your communications.

Facebook/Meta Fundraisers & Instagram

• Report the fundraiser via the fundraiser page and report associated posts/accounts via the main platform report tool.
• Tag Business Support if you have access, and escalate using your official page’s support chat (Meta prioritized creators via Creator Support in late 2024–2025).

PayPal / Venmo / Cash App & Crypto

• Contact the processor with transaction IDs. In 2026, many processors offer faster holds for impersonation claims if you file with law enforcement case numbers.
• For crypto wallets: file an incident report with the exchange where funds may have been cashed out and alert law enforcement. Crypto refunds are difficult; speed and exchange cooperation matter.

What to tell donors: Refund script and step-by-step guide

When followers have already donated, your priority is to make refunds easy and clear. Confusing instructions cause anger and rumor growth.

1. Post a pinned update that explains: you did not authorize the fundraiser, you have reported it, and here is exactly how donors request refunds.
2. Give platform-specific steps. Example for GoFundMe: log in > go to the campaign > click Contact > choose Request a refund > include transaction ID.
3. Provide a template message donors can copy — simplifies the process and lowers friction.

Sample donor message: “I donated $X to [campaign name] on [date]. I did not consent to this fundraiser; I am requesting a refund under GoFundMe’s policies. My transaction ID: _____.”

4. Offer an official support channel — if you have a community manager, create an email or ticket queue just for refund help and publish it.
5. Follow up publicly — post update threads showing how many refunds processed (numbers help restore trust).

Legal and law enforcement steps

Legal action strengthens your ability to get platforms to act and signals seriousness to followers and sponsors. Not every case needs immediate litigation; focus first on takedown, refunds, and preserving evidence.

• File a police report — impersonation and fraud are criminal matters. A police report creates a case number that speeds up cooperation from platforms and processors.
• Send a cease-and-desist — through counsel, to the organizer if identifiable. This is often combined with a DMCA-like takedown request when images or copyrighted content are used without permission.
• Seek emergency relief if funds are at risk — counsel can request a court order to freeze funds or compel disclosure from platforms in clear impersonation cases.
• Preserve evidence — export campaign pages, social posts, comments, and donation receipts. Use trusted archiving services and notarize if possible.

Communications strategy: What to say, what not to say

Your audience expects transparency; they also expect a calm, authoritative voice. Follow this phased communication strategy.

Phase 1 — Immediate (0–24 hours)

• Short, consistent posts across platforms: admit nothing you don't know, state facts, and outline next steps. Use the copy-paste statement above.
• Pin updates. Pin the refund instructions and your official report links.

Phase 2 — Detail & proof (24–72 hours)

• Publish a longer post or video explaining what happened, how you found out, and what you’ve done. Include screenshots of your report receipts (redact sensitive info).
• Answer FAQs. Anticipate donor concerns: “Will I get my money back?” “Are you suing?” “Is this someone from your team?”

Phase 3 — Accountability & rebuilding (1 week+)

• Share final outcomes: platform takedowns, refunds processed, actions taken against perpetrators (when available).
• Host an AMA or livestream Q&A to rebuild trust with your core community.

What NOT to do

• Don’t speculate or name suspects publicly until verified.
• Don’t encourage vigilante tracking (that can backfire legally and ethically).
• Don’t delete early statements — transparency about timeline matters. Instead, update them.

Sponsor and brand partner management

Brands expect creators to manage crises. Transparency and speed preserve business relationships.

• Notify partners immediately with a short briefing, what you’ve done, and next steps. Provide a timeline for public updates.
• Share evidence — screenshots and report receipts; brands can escalate via their platform contacts.
• Offer brand-safe recovery plans — dedicated branded content addressing the incident, or a joint Q&A. Show sponsors you’re proactive, not reactive.

Case study: What the Mickey Rourke incident teaches creators

In January 2026, actor Mickey Rourke publicly denied involvement in a GoFundMe launched under his name and urged supporters to request refunds. The public back-and-forth highlighted key lessons for creators:

• Be first with a consistent message — Rourke’s direct post clarified his position early and pushed the narrative away from speculation.
• Encourage donor action — telling donors how to request refunds reduces lingering outrage and shows command of the situation.
• Hold others accountable — public mention of repercussions signaled seriousness without resorting to unverified claims. That balance matters.

Long-term prevention: Harden your brand in 2026

Prevention reduces the chance you'll need this playbook again. Treat impersonation risk like password hygiene — ongoing and necessary.

• Get verified and display verification consistently — verified blue checks, verified fundraising channels, and pinned official fundraiser pages reduce impersonation risk.
• Pre-authorize official fundraising channels — publish a persistent page on your site: “Official Fundraisers” with the only active links. Pin it everywhere.
• Watermark and timestamp content used in fundraisers or urgent asks. In 2026, short verification clips (10–20 sec) referencing date and platform are an effective proof tool.
• Use institutional accounts for accepting donations (your nonprofit entity, manager-managed GoFundMe, or verified charity partner). Avoid personal links if you’re a public figure.
• Train your team — a 30-minute monthly run-through of impersonation scenarios will speed responses when incidents happen.

Templates to copy: Press statement, DM to platform, and legal intake email

Short public press statement (use on socials)

Statement: "I did not create, authorize, or endorse the [campaign name] fundraiser. Do NOT donate. I have reported the campaign to [platform] and law enforcement and am actively working to get funds returned. If you donated, here’s how to request a refund: [link]. I’ll update you as we make progress."

DM to platform support (concise)

Hi — this campaign (URL) is impersonating [My Name / My Brand]. I did NOT authorize it. Please remove and freeze funds. Attached: screenshots and ID. Police report filed: #[case number if available]. Contact: [email].

Legal intake email to counsel

Subject: Urgent — Impersonation & Fraudulent Fundraiser Hello [Lawyer Name], A fundraiser using my name/likeness appeared at [URL] on [date]. I did not authorize it. Donors have contributed $[amount]. I have screenshots, donation receipts, and platform report receipts (attached). Please advise on emergency takedown, evidence preservation, and options to recover funds and identify the organizer. Police report filed: #[case number].

Rebuilding reputation: Metrics, content, and how to measure success

After containment, your job is rebuilding trust. Use transparent metrics and content that demonstrates accountability.

• KPIs to track: number of refunds processed, volume of followers regained, sentiment change (social listening), sponsor retention, and earned media tone.
• Content types that work: a transparent video walkthrough (what happened, proof of action), a FAQ page, and a community livestream answering questions.
• Use third-party validation: get statements from platforms when a campaign is removed or when refunds are processed. Share screenshots of platform confirmation emails.
• Consider a small goodwill campaign: once everything is resolved, a transparency-led charity push where you match refunds or donate to a related cause can convert outrage into positive community action — but only after funds are securely handled and partners are informed.

Preventative legal and security checklist (annual)

• Register official domains and fundraising handles
• Maintain creator verification on major platforms
• Designate an official contact page for fundraising inquiries
• Retain a crisis counsel on retainer or an on-call PR firm
• Audit third-party access to your accounts (revoke old logins)

Final cautions and ethical considerations

Be mindful of naming private individuals or alleging criminality without proof. Use law enforcement channels to handle doxxing and attribution. Your responsibility is to your audience: provide facts, preserve dignity, and avoid amplifying harmful speculation.

Quick 72-hour action checklist (printable)

1. Publish short denial statement and pin it across channels.
2. Screenshot and archive campaign pages; get timestamps.
3. Report the campaign to the fundraising platform and payment processor.
4. File police report and notify counsel.
5. Post donor refund instructions and offer support channel.
6. Notify sponsors and partners with evidence and timeline.
7. Prepare a follow-up detailed post for 24–72 hour update.

Closing: The advantage of being prepared

Fraudulent fundraisers are painful, but they are fixable — especially if you move fast, stay factual, and guide your community through refunds and updates. The 2026 landscape rewards creators who combine the right platform workflows, legal backup, and transparent storytelling. Use this PR playbook to protect your audience and your brand when impersonators strike.

Call to action

Save this playbook. Bookmark your platform report links, create a one-click “official fundraiser” page on your website, and forward this article to your manager and counsel. Want a printable 72-hour checklist and ready-to-send templates? Subscribe to our creator crisis toolkit for instant downloads and 1:1 PR clinic slots.

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