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
Here you see the results of 12 of our art Appreciation group members visit to Eden Galleries, Newburgh on Saturday 22nd April.