New email scams target Rotarians

Several Rotarians have recently reported receiving a fraudulent email with the subject line Rotary Membership Update that reports to be from Rotary International asking them to update their membership status for the 2013 year by clicking on the link supplied in the email. Please be aware that this is a phishing scam. Phishing is the criminally fraudulent act of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, or credit card information by masquerading as a trusty source.

Other recent scams include:

• Several Rotarians have reported receiving a fraudulent email which reports to be from an Australian Rotarian stuck in London, England. The email claims the individual was robbed at gunpoint while on holiday and that she needs money to get home. Other Rotarians have reported receiving a similar email sent out in the name of a senior Rotary leader, a trustee of The Rotary Foundation, seeking money. The email claims that the individual is stuck at an airport with lost luggage and needs the cash to get home. Both emails are scams.
• An email scam with the subject line "Award Winning Notification Final" has targeted Rotarians claiming that they are one of 21 winners of a promotional program held on 1 January 2012 by the Rotary Foundation. The fake promotion says winners will receive US$1 million cash payment. The email is signed by "Mr. Jerry Blake, The Promotion Manager, Rotary Foundation Int (UK), London, United Kingdom."
• An email scam targeting Rotarians and Rotaractors claims the recipient has won hundreds of thousands of euros through an international promotional program conducted by the "Euro-Millones Lottery". Attached to the e-mail is a PDF letter signed by "Luis Alberto, Vice President" with a photo of Past RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar. 
• An email scam with the subject line "Dear Award Beneficiary!!!" has targeted Rotarians claiming the recipient has won US$500,000 and two HP laptops from RI. The email asks for contact information and is signed by "Mrs. Sarah Olic, Programme Co-ordinator, Rotary International".

RI encourages Rotarians and Rotary clubs to avoid becoming victims of such scams by deleting any email that appears suspicious.