New Scam Targeting Military Families

May 31, 2007

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, May 29, 2007 — The American Red Cross has learned about a new scam targeting military families. This scam takes the form of false information to military families as described below:

The caller (young-sounding, American accent) calls a military spouse and identifies herself as a representative from the Red Cross. The caller states that the spouse’s husband (not identified by name) was hurt while on duty in Iraq and was med-evacuated to a hospital in Germany. The caller stated they couldn’t start treatment until paperwork was accomplished, and that in order to start the paperwork they needed the spouse to verify her husband’s social security number and date of birth. In this case, the spouse was quick to catch on and she did not provide any information to the caller.

The American Red Cross representatives typically do not contact military members/dependents directly and almost always go through a commander or first sergeant channels. Military family members are urged not to give out any personal information over the phone if contacted by unknown/unverified individuals, to include confirmation that your spouse is deployed.

It is a federal crime, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, for a person to falsely or fraudulently pretend to be a member of, or an agent for, the American National Red Cross for the purpose of soliciting, collecting, or receiving money or material.

In addition, American Red Cross representatives will contact military members/dependents directly only in response to an emergency message initiated by your family. The Red Cross does not report any type of casualty information to family members. The Department of Defense will contact families directly if their military member has been injured. Should any military family member receive such a call, they are urged to report it to their local Family Readiness Group or Military Personnel Flight.

The American Red Cross ensures that the American people are in touch with their family members serving in the United States military by operating a communications network that is open 24-hours, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year. Through a network of employees and volunteers at Red Cross national that link families during emergencies, access to emergency financial assistance, confidential counseling, community support headquarters, local chapters, on military installations, and deployed with troops, the Red Cross offers a broad range of services. Among these services, the Red Cross provides communications for families left behind, assistance to veterans, and preparedness courses for military personnel and their families

Comments

11 Responses to “New Scam Targeting Military Families”

  1. DanNY on May 31st, 2007 11:22 am

    This has got to be about as low as these cretins can go!

    Hangin’d be too good for them.

    Dan Maloney
    New York Coordinator
    Gathering of Eagles

  2. Joe66 on May 31st, 2007 12:19 pm

    AMEN! Dan what will they come up with next ?

  3. Rev Hawk on May 31st, 2007 1:38 pm

    Hey, ya know what? I just happen ta have a 6ft length of rope, and a tree with one limb that’s about 8 ft off the ground. Just in case anyone catches one of these scumbags and doesn’t know here ta take em.

    I’ll even say a prayer for their soul as they swing in the breeze.

    That’s the problem with having been an Airborne Grunt for ove 23 years, and a minister for just over 4 years. Some old habits die hard.

    Blessings To All

    Rev Hawk
    Chaplain
    Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776
    Military Order of The Purple Heart
    Scout/Sniper VN 68-69

  4. Larry Hoffa on May 31st, 2007 4:51 pm

    Dan, Joe and Rev Hawk,

    Amen brothers! Thank God we have the “GOE” and we are No Longer the Silent Majority. When I attend the Moonbat Rallys with our Fellow Eagles I cut them No Slack, just ask Dan! They are what they are and most of them have aligned themselves with organizations that should be removed from our Great Nation.

    Continue to Soar my Fellow Eagles, it is always my honor to stand shoulder to shoulder with you.
    As I tell the Moonbats, anytime, any place, any weather we Eagles will be there.

    “In Their Face”

    Semper Fi & Eagles Up!
    Larry (Gunny) Hoffa
    Dir. Of Eagle Affairs/Recruitment

  5. Trisi on May 31st, 2007 5:23 pm

    This is unbelievable! I’m an Army wife. I hope to God I never get a phone call like that. If I do, they better hope it’s for real. You can bet you’re bottom dollar they would remember me by a first name basis.
    Don’t worry all, Karma has a way of kicking them in the butts.
    Eagles up!

  6. Jaded on May 31st, 2007 6:41 pm

    Thanks for getting the word out and protecting those who protect us.

  7. Michael Jurrians on May 31st, 2007 8:36 pm

    I AGREE WITH REV HAWK. I WOULD TAKE HIS IDEA ONE STEP FURTHER…..LEAVE THE BODY SWAYING IN THE BREEZE. IT MAY SERVE AS A DETERANT TO FUTURE WHACK JOBS THAT TRY TO PULL A STUNT LIKE THAT. OUR MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE TOO MANY OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS ON THEIR MINDS.

    EAGLES UP!!

  8. deputydan on May 31st, 2007 8:50 pm

    HANGIN’ IS TO GOOD FOR THEM. MORE FUN PUTTIN’ A STICK OF DENNYMITE WHERE THE SUN DON’T SHINE THEN WRAP ABOUT 200′ OF SLOW BURN FUSE ALL AROUND THEIR NAKED BODY TIED TO A STAKE IN AN OPEN FIELD.
    MAN, THIS HITS MY HOT BUTTON CAUSE I AM A BOARD MEMBER FOR OUR LOCAL RED CROSS CHAPTER.

    EAGLES UP!!!

  9. Skye on June 2nd, 2007 10:43 am

    This scam is rearing its ugly head - yet again. I first encountered this during the the early days of the liberation of Iraq.

    Same story - a Red Cross ‘official’ was calling the family members of servicemen/women currently in Iraq and informing them of their death.

    Once the initial story broke, it was difficult to track the resolution of this scam. I’m not sure if ANY media outlet followed up on the story.

  10. John on June 3rd, 2007 9:13 am

    I agree with deputydan but 1000yrds would be better more time to suffer like they make our families suffer

  11. Dave Rennie on June 9th, 2007 11:53 am

    I proved today I could sign as and say I was anytingI chose to and like sheep most believed me with no verification or chhecking out why a after 3 tours in the Gulf , 18 months at Get mo , I was still a Butter Bar LT.
    Proving my point after being labled a wannabe I get sick reading the posts of hangings of those with differant ideas.
    Of course I never served in the SandBox but I sure pulled my time in the NAM and that can be proved a sad lot many of you are .
    Rennie a true Proud Vietnam veteran

Got something to say?

You must be logged in to post a comment.