Are many Military families aware of this scam?

Question

False casualty notification alert:

A Topeka military family has reported they were notified at their home of an injury to their solider currently deployed. This information was incorrect, the persons that gave the false information were wearing uniforms but showed no identification, and did not follow the notification protocol.

This hoax has traveled throughout the United States . The family is notified of either injury or fatality. The intent is to either cause the family to leave the house and rob the home, or to gather personal information such as social security numbers for identity thief purposes.

Please remember, the military personnel at your home will not need the information such as social security numbers. You will always be notified by someone who will identify themselves and who will not be offended if you verify who they are. Casualty notifications will always be handled in a professional and caring manner.

CID recommends that family members who receive calls concerning the medical status of loved ones deployed to a combat zone note the name and telephone number of the caller, if possible, and contact the local Casualty Office or the American Red Cross to confirm. If the call is determined to be a hoax, immediately report the crime to the local CID office. If a family member receives false notification in person, please document the description and names of the person(s), and information about the vehicle they are driving. We take these hoaxes very seriously and will be investigating this insult to our families.

I am a family support member and I want this info gone out to everyone. Home robberies are common when families in mourning,or preparing a funeral, this happened in my family but not the same circumstances.

Answer 1

Ms Pepper, you give a very timely warning, and an explanation that to often does not get heard. It needs to also be pointed out that anyone from the military will have their picture ID, and if there has been a fatality, a Chaplain will usually be present as well.

Answer 2

Let me add a plea to please make any pre-deployment briefs your unit may have. I have friends who have DH's heading to Iraq and the information of how the military will contact them was covered due to scams like this. It's only one of the important topics the Commands and Family Readiness Groups cover at these meetings and it's really helpful to have it before your loved one leaves.

Answer 3

OMG!! i cant imagine a person claiming to be miltary personel and then proceed to tell me my husband was killed in combat! thats disgusting..thats just awful that people would do that to military families like mine to rob them..so not only are the robbing them emotionally but physically...SOB's thank u for sharing this info...now i know this when my husband deploys again this year
take care

Answer 4

Yes I have heard about it....last deployment here from Ft Stewart, it happened to several families. I dont know if they were caught. But yes, it happens and it is a terrible thing to prey on people like that. That is why you have to always be on the look out. Thanks for the info!

Answer 5

Sweet Lord !! Thank you for the information.

Hanging would be simply TOO good for such Vultures !!

Answer 6

Wow thats amazing, I didn't hear of this. This is very insightful and I will alert my family of this because I will be deploying next month.

Answer 7

Scammers have no shame whatsoever. I knew they were low but this is just insane. Death is too good for these predators.

Answer 8

yes i have heard of this. it seems too coincidental to me that it happened in topeka, the same place that psycho "church" is. good looking out.

Answer 9

Thanks for the information. Where is this taking place?

Answer 10

(*^_^(_ vultures!!!!!!!!!!1

Deserve jail for a long time.