Audacity Unveiled: Scammers Target Meals on Wheels Chicago
At Meals on Wheels Chicago, we pour every ounce of effort into serving our community—providing food and support to homebound seniors and people with disabilities. Imagine our outrage when we discovered that scammers, devoid of conscience, attempted to exploit our mission to defraud us. This isn’t just a cautionary tale; it’s a call to stand against such vile schemes targeting nonprofits working tirelessly to make a difference.
The Setup: A Wolf in Donor's Clothing
It began innocently enough—an email from "Gabriel Anderson," expressing an interest in making a generous family donation. The tone was polished and professional, complete with details about tax records and a USPS tracking number for a "donation check." On the surface, it seemed authentic—until it didn’t.
What kind of person exploits the generosity that nonprofits like ours depend on to survive? As we dug deeper, cracks in the facade revealed the truth.
Exposing the Red Flags
Dubious Donation Sources: The email claimed the donation was personal, but the check referenced a corporate account, “Knotts Sportsman Supply Inc.” A blatant inconsistency. Unfortunately, using this name meant more chaos caused and after a call we learned this was a real company that had to change bank accounts due to the false involvement.
Pressure Tactics: Repeated requests for immediate deposit confirmation raised alarms. Real donors don’t rush nonprofits for financial transactions.
Generic Email Addresses: Using a basic email like gabanderson7723@gmail.com undercut the otherwise professional tone. It’s a classic scam move to create a false sense of legitimacy.
Check number inconsistency: The number on the bottom of the check did not match the upper right corner, that’s when it was confirmed, this wasn’t valid.
The Scam
“Gabriel Anderson” emailed our organization claiming to donate $2,000 as a gesture of goodwill, emphasizing their tradition of contributing to reputable organizations. They later contacted the organization, stating that their financial correspondent mistakenly issued a check for $4,000 instead of $2,000. They requested a refund for the $2,000 overpayment, expressing trust in the organization to resolve the matter. This approach often aims to exploit an organization’s goodwill, leveraging a fabricated overpayment to elicit a refund before the initial payment is revealed to be invalid.
How We Fought Back
Our team didn’t let the scammers win. By following strict protocols and verifying suspicious details, we dodged this malicious trap. Our diligence paid off, protecting resources meant for those who need them most. We are a small team, we don’t have time and energy to waste fending off these tactics.
Lessons for Fellow Nonprofits
We share these tips not just to educate but to galvanize other organizations into action:
Scrutinize Everything: Verify the legitimacy of donors, especially unsolicited ones.
Stay Alert: Be cautious with offers that seem too good to be true.
Empower Your Team: Train staff to identify red flags and trust their instincts.
Unfortunately, scammers often target the seniors in our community. If you or someone you know might be at risk, it’s important to stay informed and offer support. Please visit this site to stay informed https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/elder-fraud