Red Cross warns spouses of scam

  • Published
  • By Julie Caldwell
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Spouses of deployed members have been targeted for an identity theft scam, by someone posing as a member of the Red Cross. 

According to a news release from the Red Cross, a military spouse recently received a call from a young-sounding woman who claimed to represent the Red Cross. The caller said the woman's husband had been injured in Iraq, and that the wife had to tell her his date of birth and Social Security Number for paperwork before he could be treated. The spouse quickly realized this was a scam, and did not provide any information to the caller. 

Although the Red Cross does facilitate communication between deployed military members and their families, they never directly contact families to inform them of death or injury. 

Sharon Dow, a military case worker at the Wichita Falls Red Cross chapter, said most of the communication the Red Cross does is between the family members at home and the military. They relay urgent messages about such things as illness or childbirth, but not before thorough verification that the information is correct. 

"Nothing goes out unless we know for sure it is a fact," Ms. Dow said. 

She said messages are normally not started by a caseworker, rather by the family member requesting assistance. She also emphasized that a caseworker will make sure to identify themselves properly, and will never ask for personal identification information. 

Sheldon Johnson, manager of the local chapter, said when this scam happened, the chapter notified Sheppard so everyone would be aware of the situation. 

He said that so far, there have been no other warnings about this scam, and that nothing of the sort has happened in this area. 

"All we can do is try to watch for any of those calls that come in," Mr. Johnson said.
He said if a suspicious phone call from someone claiming affiliation with the Red Cross is received, no information whatsoever should be given without the proper verification.  He said the Red Cross office should be contacted immediately by calling (940)-322-8686, or by visiting its Web site at www.redcrossnct.org. 

This site also lists the various other ways the Red Cross lends aid to military members and their families. The organization provides social services, such as short-term counseling, free of charge. They serve hospitalized veterans, give emergency financial aid, and help families understand options and government benefits available to them.