SCAM ALERT

  • Published
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson service member identities are currently a target for an ongoing Internet scam. People outside of Alaska are being duped by an Internet scammer claiming to be a JBER Airman or Soldier who is selling an item, such as a car, requiring a large money transaction. It would appear the scammer is using the name of service members in order to obtain trust and confidence from the buyer.

The Internet advertisement claims the "seller" has a vehicle which he/she needs to sell immediately because he/she has orders to leave Alaska. In later correspondence, the "seller" claims he/she will ship the "car" from Alaska by an U.S. Air Force cargo plane "so there won't be any shipping costs." The Air Force does not use its aircraft to ship vehicles.

Once the name of the "seller" is traced to the JBER service members it is discovered the Airman/Soldier is not selling the item in question, nor have had any contact, with the "victim" buyer.

If you believe you are a victim of this scam please fill out a complaint with the FBI at http://www.ic3.gov/contact/default.aspx

To help servicemembers protect against identity theft, the DOD has joined with the Federal Trade Commission on its "Deter, Detect and Defend" campaign. While the campaign is aimed at the general public, a brochure has been developed especially for the military. The identity theft brochure includes helpful tips and can be viewed at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/idtheft/idt02.pdf . The website is www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft//military/

Please do not allow yourself to fall victim to these Internet scammers. If you have any additional questions, please call JBER Public Affairs Office at (907) 552-8151.