Once again, various officers in our Department have been selected by “scammers” trying to attack our membership. The age-old trick of getting you to buy a gift card for delivery to the officer, including our Department Commander, is in full swing again.
Do not fall for the scam. Officers will not ask you to purchase gift cards to send to them, where they can cash them for themselves instead of helping true veterans in need. You will often be asked to take pictures of the gift cards rather than take the time to deliver them in person or via the mail. This lets them cash them in before you realize it and can cancel them. We have warned you many times via this and other social media platforms—do NOT fall for these scoundrels who prey on our nature to help others, with the sole purpose of helping themselves.
The thieves are becoming more clever each time. Even when an officer’s name appears in the bogus email address, be wary and call the officer or HQ before you make a suspicious purchase. Regardless of the name associated with the email address, always click on the name and make sure the address that appears is the actual address used by the officer. Most likely, it will NOT be the officer’s true address. Again, if you’re unsure, call the officer or Headquarters to verify. We have had members lose upwards of $1000 to the scam this week alone. Don’t let them fool you! Save any contact information you may have for the scammers and take the time to contact law enforcement.
