Taken from the OSA website as requested by CNSA President Norm Lindsay, who has experienced an attempt similar to the one described below:
From Evan Engel, OSA President;
This is a most serious matter. A couple of years ago, Ann and I fell victim to a scam. I’ll leave the names out so that future scammers have to work a bit harder but you’ll know who I mean. The scammers used the first names, last names, and titles perfectly. We received a message from the then CNSA president saying the CNSA needed money and that the then treasurer was away for a few days. Was there anyway we could access the CNSA funds and transfer it to this place. As the message was so well written, and so personally written, we transferred it from our personal account thinking we’d get reimbursed when the treasurer got home.
Within hours, we received another request asking for a bit more money as it turned out not to be quite enough. Sadly, that is when the bells started ringing and lights started flashing. Bottom line is we got taken. Obviously the CNSA had nothing to do with this.
I only raise it as one of our board members recently received a request from me asking for money because the treasurer is away. He was smart enough not to do it but when he told the scammers he couldn’t get the cash, they were willing to accept Visa and/or Apple Gift Cards. Very creative. lol.
BOTTOM LINE IS … The CNSA or OSA will NEVER ASK YOU FOR MONEY. Should you get a request, IGNORE IT. It is a scam.
Evan