Grieving family claims crook stole and reposted their GoFundMe story
A family in North Texas is rethinking online donations after they say someone stole and faked their real-life tragedy.
Rosemary Hopkins, her son Chase Wiggins, and his friend Ricky Robertson were driving back from a birthday party in Hurst on Dec. 6 when all three were killed after their car crashed into a concrete wall in North Richland Hills and burst into flames.
Victim's relatives say they have to relive that nightmare every day, all because of a fake GoFundMe page. It appeared to be set up to raise money for the family, but that money went into the pocket of a stranger.
The family says they've contacted GoFundMe via email but have not received a response. They estimate the woman who created the phony account stole around one-thousand dollars.
After spreading the word on social media, family says they got a text message by someone they assumed to be the woman's mother. They met with her at a Wells Fargo bank where the family says the mother offered to give each party $570 in restitution. In turn, she asked they sign a release, promising not to pursue legal action against her daughter.
The family says they want the woman to answer for what she's done and turned that offer down.
Fort Worth police are investigating the case but no charges have been filed. The family plans to pursue legal action and are encouraging people to look at online fundraising campaigns with a critical eye before donating.