Don't give personal information.
If someone calls claiming to be from The American Legion, asking for your Social Security number, bank information, or other information to get your new card, that's a scam. Hang up. The American Legion will never ask you to give personal information to get your new member card.
Watch for red flags
If you receive an email, text, or phone call asking for any of the following, it's a definite red flag! End the call, delete the text, and trash the email because we will never contact you out of the blue to ask for:
- Your account number
- Your username or password
- Your Social Security number
- Your member number, expiration
- Your Personal Identification Number (PIN)
- Your date of birth
- Your mailing address
- An answer to your security questions
** Note: You may be asked to verify information if you call us directly, but rarely the other way around. If you're ever in doubt that a Legion call is legitimate, hang up and call us at 1-800-555-1212
More red flags
The most common types of scams will target you through fake emails, text messages, voice calls, letters or even someone who shows up at your front door unexpectedly. No matter which technique the scammer uses, you may be:
- Pressured to send money
- Threatened with law enforcement action
- Told to purchase gift cards and provide codes as a form of payment
- Asked to cash a check for a stranger or send money via wire transfer
- Asked to deposit a check that overpays for something you're selling, then send the difference elsewhere
If you authorize a transfer or send money to a scammer, there's often little we can do to help get your money back.
Know the best ways to avoid being scammed
Don't respond: If you're not 100% certain of the source of the call, email or text, then hang up the phone, don't click on the link in the email and don't reply to the text message.
Don't trust caller ID or answer phone calls from unknown numbers: If you recognize the caller ID but the call seems suspicious, hang up the phone. Phone numbers can be easily spoofed to appear to be from a legitimate caller.
Don't give out your information: Never provide any personally identifiable information unless you're absolutely certain the person and reason are legitimate. Remember: The American Legion will never ask you to give us personal information such as an member number, Social Security number, bank account information, or Tax ID over text, email or online.**
Research and validate: If the individual or organization seems suspicious, make sure the request being made is legitimate by calling the organization through an official number from their website or consulting with a trusted family member or friend.
If you feel you may have been a victim of a scam, contact us immediately.
** Note: You may be asked to verify information if you call us directly. If you're ever in doubt that a Legion call is legitimate, hang up and call us at 1-800-555-1212