Scam Alert

Scam Alert

LWVVC Scam Alert

Dear League Members,

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, we sent out a Scam Alert E-blast to alert you to a recent rise in scam attempts targeting members of the League of Women Voters. Some of these messages appear to come from trusted League leaders from across the state and request money—often in the form of gift cards. Others are phishing scams that try to trick you into clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal information. League leaders will never ask you to buy gift cards or wire money or share private financial information through an email or text.

Unfortunately, a few of our members have been targeted—and in some cases, have fallen victim to these scams. We’re sharing this message to help you stay safe. Unfortunately, there isn’t much the League can do directly, as these scam messages haven’t gone through our systems—they’re attempts to impersonate League leaders using spoofed email addresses. With the rise of AI, scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot. It’s more important than ever for all of us to stay alert and cautious.

How to Spot a Scam:

  • Urgent or Unusual Requests: Be cautious of emails or texts claiming to be from League leadership that ask you to urgently buy gift cards, wire money, or share private information.
  • Suspicious Email Addresses: Always check the sender’s email. Scammers often use email addresses that look similar to real ones but have slight differences (like extra letters or unfamiliar domains). In some instances words like “vote” or “voter” are used - be sure to always check the sender's email address, and if it looks off, report it as spam and block the sender. 
  • Poor Grammar or Tone: Messages that sound “off” or out of character—odd grammar, unfamiliar phrasing, or an overly casual tone—can be a red flag.
  • Requests for Secrecy: If you're told not to contact anyone else or to “keep it confidential,” that’s a major warning sign.

What NOT to Do:

  • Never send gift cards, money, or personal information in response to an email or text request, even if it looks like it’s from someone you know.
  • Don’t click on suspicious links or open unexpected attachments—especially if you’re not sure of the sender.
  • Don’t reply to a suspicious message. Instead, verify the request using a known, trusted method (like calling the person directly using a number you already have—not the one in the message).

What You CAN Do:

  • Double-check any strange request with the person directly before taking action.
  • Report suspicious messages to your local League.
  • Mark scam emails as “Phishing” or “Spam” in your email program to help block future attempts.
  • Keep your devices updated with the latest updates and consider using antivirus software.

Five Steps to Take If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

Act quickly to protect yourself and report the fraud:

1. Stop All Contact with the Scammer

2. Report the Scam
3.  If You Sent Money or Shared Financial Info
    • Gift Cards: Contact the card issuer (e.g., Target, Amazon, Apple).
    • Bank Info: Call your bank or credit card company immediately to freeze or close your account.
    • Wire Transfers or Payment Apps: Contact the service (like Zelle, PayPal, Venmo) to try to stop or reverse the transaction.
4. If You Shared Personal Information
    • Visit IdentityTheft.gov to create a recovery plan.
    • Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three credit bureaus:
      • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
      • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
      • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
5. Keep Records
    • Save any emails, texts, receipts, or screenshots related to the scam. Document the timeline and steps you’ve taken—this will help when reporting.

We know scammers prey on people’s trust and good intentions—qualities that are abundant in our League community. Let’s continue to look out for one another and stay informed.

If you ever receive a questionable message and aren’t sure what to do, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at  805-303-1476.