Scammers are exploiting the tragedy of fallen firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed at a Trump rally two weeks ago, by impersonating him on Facebook and soliciting donations. The Comperatore family has never asked for donations and feels terrible about this fraudulent activity.
Corey Comperatore, a former chief at the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, was shot while shielding his wife and daughter from bullets at the rally. In his honor, a permanent reminder stands outside the fire company.
Two weeks after his death, a fake Facebook post under Corey’s name appeared, asking for donations to cover funeral expenses. “We still have debts from the funeral expenses. If anyone would be willing to donate to cover it up, please write to us here by clicking on the ‘send a message’ below,” the scam post reads.
Corey’s sister, Kelly, quickly refuted the post. “It’s so discouraging that I even have to post this. Our family is not seeking donations of any kind,” she said. She stressed that they never have and never will ask for donations and urged people not to fall for the scam.
Community members are outraged by the scam. “That is absolutely sick. The fact that they used Corey’s name for the account is really disingenuous,” said Chris Carlisle, a resident of Saxonburg.
Bob Mazza echoed this sentiment. “It’s a shame that people are taking advantage of the situation like this. A man just came out to show his support at a rally and his life was taken. People take advantage of that. It’s a shame. That’s low. That’s terrible. Beyond low. I can’t believe someone would do that.”
Kelly emphasized the family’s position: “We do not wish for kind-hearted people to be taken advantage of. We never have asked for donations, nor will we. Ever. We know these awful people are out there. We just don’t want anyone to unknowingly give their hard-earned money to scammers. We feel terrible that this is happening to good people.”
Carlisle added, “It’s sad to see people taking advantage of them at this time. They have enough going on. Enough on their plate.”
Kelly suggested that those wishing to honor Corey could donate to their local volunteer fire department or EMS service. “That donation could save someone else. My brother would want that. We want that,” she said.
Related Concerns:
- Trump Assassination Attempt: During the rally where Corey Comperatore was tragically killed, there were unverified rumors about an assassination attempt on Trump. This heightened the chaos and confusion, making it easier for scammers to exploit the situation.
- Facebook Fake Account Checker: The incident underscores the need for tools like the Facebook fake account checker to help users verify the authenticity of profiles and avoid falling victim to scams.
- Corey Comperatore Facebook: Searching for Corey Comperatore on Facebook now reveals multiple fake accounts set up to deceive well-meaning individuals. The Comperatore family urges people to report these accounts and rely only on verified sources for information.
