Class Action Against GoFundMe

On November 8, 2022, our firm filed an application for authorization to institute a class action against GoFundMe. This request seeks reimbursement of transaction fees paid by Quebec consumers who have made donations on the www.gofundme.com website or on the GoFundMe mobile application since May 22, 2019.

Illegal fees

GoFundMe operates, through its www.gofundme.com website, a crowdfunding platform to publish, share and contribute to various fundraisers.

Our client donated to a fundraiser for the family of a shooting victim.

He donated $300 and tipped GoFundMe $5. GoFundMe’s representations on its site gave him the impression that the tip would go in full to GoFundMe and conversely, the $300 would go in full to the victim’s family.

However, after browsing the Internet and the GoFundMe website, our client found that his $300 donation was not being passed on in full to the victim’s family. In fact, in addition to the $5 tip, GoFundMe withheld approximately $9 as a Transaction Fee.

The Consumer Protection Act imposes obligations on merchants to ensure that consumers have all the information they need about the services rendered by a merchant from a first reading of all representations.

However, GoFundMe misrepresented and misleading consumers by claiming that it did not charge any commission on consumer donations, when it stated that it “does not charge a commission on donations” and that it “counts on the generosity of donors like you to fund their services“.

Application for authorization to bring a class action

Current status of the file

Pending authorization by a judge of the Superior Court.

How do I become part of the class action?

If you fall within the definition of the class covered by this class action, you are automatically part of the class action. You don’t have to do anything right now.

News on this class action

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