The fraudsters are at it again. Many have experienced those who do not have the Good of The Legion at heart initiate EMAIL SCAMS. They use known leader names in the hope that you will open their message and comply with their requests. Always be cautious of any email received, especially if it requests special favors or actions.
In a recent confirmed scam, Legionnaires received an email that appeared to be from me. It was not. It requested gift cards to be used for seemingly good causes, but they were actually intended to benefit the “spoofer.” BEWARE of unusual requests. When in doubt, take a moment to confirm the identity of the sender.
How do I know if the message really came from the Commander or another known leader? How can I confirm this?
This is what I do: The message may have a name that resembles the sender’s, but if you click on the name, it will likely have another person’s or entity’s email address attached (one not associated with the leader’s actual email address). These less-than-honorable hackers will go to great lengths to imitate my or another leader’s address, but with a careful, even quick review, they are easily discovered as frauds.
So, if a message appears suspicious, click on the sender’s name. The name will then likely have a small “v” to the right or left, which, if you click on, will reveal the actual email address of the sender. If it is not the leader’s address you expected, as listed in the official directory or confirmed via other valid emails, then do not respond. Please report the issue to our Adjutant so we can investigate further. Warn others of the dishonorable behavior. Many of these “frauds” think they are shielded, but most are not as smart as they think. They can be traced.
These fraudsters prey upon our unsuspecting members, hoping that through our known honorable desires to provide aid and comfort to others, we’ll blindly comply and donate funds, purchase gift cards, or other items. When in doubt, as many of you do already, please feel free to ask me using my department address: commander@azlegion.org (the address you should see if it actually came from me). If that is not the address revealed when you click on a message supposedly from me, it is a scam. You should report it and caution others in your post to avoid it.
Please note that some of the “spoofers” work diligently and use email addresses with minor, seemingly insignificant letters or numbers in hopes that you will not catch the subtle nuances. Take a moment, verify, and if necessary, avoid and report the fraud.
Respectfully,
Commander Vaughan
