I refer to the recent email purporting to be from myself ie George Birchall with regard to recipients  purchasing an “Apple e-gift card” for , supposedly a friend of mine who was down with liver cancer as it was her forthcoming birthday

Maureen and I were on holiday at the time the email went out , there was not even any “internet connection” on the ship on that day.

We received , whilst on holiday , telephone calls , texts and emails (received once the internet was reconnected)

Friends in Australia , United States and UK had received emails and several made contact with us to determine whether I had sent the email

Obviously , I advised all who contacted us by whatever means that the email was a “SCAM” and that it had not come from me obviously our email address had been compromised

Even today 07/07 I have had calls with regard to the email and I have advised all that it was a “SCAM”

Could I suggest that , if any member gets similar emails from anybody (U3A or not) that they , before doing anything , clicking on links etc , gets in touch with the person indicated in the email to verify that the email is from them and that it is or is not a “scam” This is the method that Maureen and I have adopted for several months now as we probably get half a dozen telephone calls and texts/emails every week

Please feel free to discuss any concerns with me if you so wish and seek my assistance if you have fallen for the scam

I BELIEVE ONE MEMBER UNFORTUNATELY PAID THE AMOUNT REQUETED BUT THIS HAS SINCE BEEN REFUNDED

Kind Regards.

George Birchall