.Scammers target military families
Military families, beware.
The American Red Cross has identified a new scam targeting families who have loved ones serving in Iraq.
As part of the scam, a telephone caller with a young-sounding, American accent, calls a military spouse and poses as a representative from the Red Cross. The caller states that the spouse's husband, who is not identified by name, was hurt while on duty in Iraq and was medically evacuated to a hospital in Germany.
The caller then says treatment can't start until paperwork is completed, and in order to start the process, the spouse must verify her husband's Social Security number and date of birth.
"Never, ever give out Social Security numbers," said Tina Boswell, whose husband, Ronald, served during Desert Storm and whose son, Alex, returned in March from serving with the Marines in Iraq. "Don't give out any information."
The Red Cross and the military are urging families not to give out any personal information over the phone if contacted by unknown individuals. Families should also not even confirm that their spouse is deployed.
"These people are already worried about their loved ones in Iraq," said Devorah Goldburg, a spokeswoman at Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C. "They may panic at first and give out that information."
The American Red Cross typically does not contact military dependents directly and almost always goes through a commander. The Red Cross also does not report any type of casualty information to family members.
It is the Department of Defense that contacts families directly if a related military member has been injured.
In a case reported last week to the Red Cross, the spouse was quick to catch on to the scam artist and she did not provide any information to the caller.
"We don't know how widespread it is," Goldburg said of the scam.
It is unknown whether the scam has been pulled on Brevard County military families. Officials at Patrick Air Force Base did not respond to requests for information about the issue.
It is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, for a person to falsely or fraudulently pretend to be a member of, or an agent for, the American Red Cross for the purpose of soliciting, collecting, or receiving money or material.
Boswell said that by staying in contact with her son's unit she's heard about other scams.
"I'm not surprised," she said. "People will take advantage of families."
Florida Today
The American Red Cross has identified a new scam targeting families who have loved ones serving in Iraq.
As part of the scam, a telephone caller with a young-sounding, American accent, calls a military spouse and poses as a representative from the Red Cross. The caller states that the spouse's husband, who is not identified by name, was hurt while on duty in Iraq and was medically evacuated to a hospital in Germany.
The caller then says treatment can't start until paperwork is completed, and in order to start the process, the spouse must verify her husband's Social Security number and date of birth.
"Never, ever give out Social Security numbers," said Tina Boswell, whose husband, Ronald, served during Desert Storm and whose son, Alex, returned in March from serving with the Marines in Iraq. "Don't give out any information."
The Red Cross and the military are urging families not to give out any personal information over the phone if contacted by unknown individuals. Families should also not even confirm that their spouse is deployed.
"These people are already worried about their loved ones in Iraq," said Devorah Goldburg, a spokeswoman at Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C. "They may panic at first and give out that information."
The American Red Cross typically does not contact military dependents directly and almost always goes through a commander. The Red Cross also does not report any type of casualty information to family members.
It is the Department of Defense that contacts families directly if a related military member has been injured.
In a case reported last week to the Red Cross, the spouse was quick to catch on to the scam artist and she did not provide any information to the caller.
"We don't know how widespread it is," Goldburg said of the scam.
It is unknown whether the scam has been pulled on Brevard County military families. Officials at Patrick Air Force Base did not respond to requests for information about the issue.
It is a federal crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, for a person to falsely or fraudulently pretend to be a member of, or an agent for, the American Red Cross for the purpose of soliciting, collecting, or receiving money or material.
Boswell said that by staying in contact with her son's unit she's heard about other scams.
"I'm not surprised," she said. "People will take advantage of families."
Florida Today
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