GoFundMe pulled a $700,000 fundraiser on September 25 after a tip revealed the organiser had used the name “Erin Howell” while actually being Amy Johnson, the Johnsons’ daughter.
The platform’s Trust & Safety team cited factual misrepresentations that violate its Terms of Service, noting that the identity claim was fabricated to make the appeal appear more relatable to donors.
Amy told GoFundMe that she believed a non‑family voice would resonate more deeply with the public. She also confirmed that the video of her father delivering lost luggage was genuine and that the family’s financial strain was real.
Donald Johnson began driving lost luggage three years ago after his wife, Josephine, was diagnosed with aggressive pancreatic cancer. He works 14‑hour days, covering hundreds of miles each week, to keep the family afloat.
After the removal, GoFundMe refunded every donation and the Johnsons shifted their fundraising to GiveSendGo, posting a new page that has already raised over $45,000 toward a $100,000 goal. Amy acknowledged the controversy in the new appeal, stressing that the family’s circumstances have not changed.
Donors who wanted to continue helping can now contribute directly via the GiveSendGo page, while GoFundMe indicates it will review other campaigns for similar misrepresentations.