How to Tell if Someone is a Military Scammer

WWP has been informed of fraudulent checks being sent from WWP. They are being issued in various situations (purchasing items through Craigslist.com & Ebay.com, fake job offers at random), however there is no monetary loss to WWP as this account is “deposit only”.

• WWP will not purchase items from Craigslist.com or like sites by check
• WWP does not use WhatsApp and will not request your personal or banking information through it
• If you are expecting a check from WWP, it will never be in excess of the agreed upon purchase price
• WWP would never ask you to cover additional costs or take additional steps that were not previously negotiated
• If you receive a check from WWP that you were not expecting, please reach out to WWP at FraudAlert@woundedwarriorproject.org with details before you deposit the check so we can confirm the legitimacy of the purchase

WWP has been informed of an increase in fraudulent purchases on Craigslist.com and like community buying/selling and classified ads sites under WWP’s name. Like other extortions of this nature, the buyer makes the purchase by check and sends an “overpayment” for items – sometimes excess of 3x’s purchase price – indicating the overpayment is to cover costs related to the purchase (shipping, towing, etc.). The check appears to come from WWP, including listing the Jacksonville headquarters address and bank account information for WWP’s deposit-only account through TIAA. This bank account information is publicly available and used to accept donations to WWP. Here are some things you should know if someone claiming to represent WWP purchases your items from Craigslist.com or through another classified ads site:

• WWP will not purchase items from Craigslist.com or like sites by check
• If you are expecting a check from WWP, it will never be in excess of the agreed upon purchase price
• WWP would have never asked you to cover additional costs or take additional steps that were not previously negotiated
• If you receive a check from WWP that you were not expecting, please reach out to WWP at FraudAlert@woundedwarriorproject.org with details before you deposit the check so we can confirm the legitimacy of the purchase

Several employment listings on Craigslist have been linked to extortions including mail, bank/check and employment schemes. These schemes manifest in one of two ways:

Jobseekers respond to postings under various titles including front desk receptionist. They receive a response with an offer for a “different position,” which is a “paid to drive concept” for Wounded Warrior Initiative or Wounded Warrior Concept, “a subsidiary of woundedwarriorproject.org.” Persons who respond to this ad receive a fraudulent cashier’s check via mail in exchange for wrapping their vehicle with the WWP logo. The scammer requests a MoneyGram or gift cards in return for the overpayment or “rental fee” to wrap the vehicle. Authorities investigating this extortion, which spans over 15 states, have determined the perpetrators typically go by the names Andy Morgan and Douglas Pierce. The scammers use the names of prior WWP executive vice president John Roberts with email address exec_drivewarriors@outlook.com, and prior WWP chief development officer Gary Corless as “Director Planning And Research,” with email address project@woundedwarriorprojecthires.com

• There is no Wounded Warrior Initiative or Wounded Warrior Concept, and these are not part of WWP or its programs.
• This is NOT the real John Roberts or Gary Corless from WWP, nor are those valid WWP email addresses.
• “Morgan” and “Pierce” are neither partners of WWP nor authorized or licensed WWP vendors or representatives.
• WWP does not advertise potential job openings or solicit job candidates via Craigslist.
• All legitimate WWP job opportunities are listed on our website under “Cool Careers."

The second scheme offers jobseekers to wrap their vehicles with advertising logos for energy drinks such as Monster, XTC, Bud-Light Energy Drinks or Samsung. The jobseeker/victim receives a fraudulent check with WWP banking information, sent UPS 2nd Day Air from Illinois, usually from “Dave.” The victim is advised to cash the check, keep a portion as their first week pay, and send the remaining balance to a third party (usually by money order) for the cost of the wrap. After the check bounces, the victim is left with a substantial overdraft while the scammers have received money from the victim’s bank.

• Monster and other companies have previously confirmed they do not offer any car wrap services and are aware of this scheme. Regional and federal authorities have been notified as this scheme spans several states and involves online fraud, making it a federal crime.
• WWP pays only its vendors, contractors, and legitimate employees, and does NOT send unsolicited checks in the mail.

If you are the victim of these schemes, or if you receive a check purporting to be from WWP and you are unsure of its origins, please contact fraudalert@woundedwarriorproject.org. 

WWP has been made aware of an individual, occasionally going by the name “Brian Campbell,” operating in and around the Atlanta, Georgia area. This person fraudulently represents themselves as a WWP employee, carrying a clipboard and wearing a suit, tie, and badge. This person solicits cash donations in exchange for gift cards to Big Lots or other retailers, providing bogus receipts. As a reminder, WWP fundraising efforts do not include door-to-door solicitation or the promise of gift cards in return for donations. Cobb County law enforcement has been notified of this individual and is currently investigating.

An individual named Shane Buckley is fraudulently representing himself to be WWP’s “Director of Workforce Development” both in and around Atlanta, Georgia and online via LinkedIn and Facebook. Other veterans’ organizations have reached out to WWP and advised Mr. Buckley is soliciting their support, leveraging his alleged position with WWP. WWP has also received several calls from financial institutions requesting employment verification, indicating Mr. Buckley fraudulently listed WWP as his employer on applications for financial assistance.

It is a federal crime for a person to pose as a WWP representative for the purpose of fraudulently soliciting, collecting, or receiving money, and this matter is being referred to the appropriate authorities. WWP does not have a Director of Workforce Development position, and Mr. Buckley is not currently nor previously a WWP employee.

If you are contacted by Mr. Buckley or anyone purporting to represent WWP and are unsure if they are a legitimate employee, please contact us at fraudalert@woundedwarriorproject.org. 

If you receive a suspicious message or email purporting to be from a WWP executive or representative, please contact fraudalert@woundedwarriorproject.org. 

WWP has been alerted to a fraudulent sweepstakes scheme using our name and preying on the goodwill of supporters. An individual named “Mark Nelson” calling from phone number 800.995.9033 claims to be with the legal department of the Shell corporation, advising the victim they were entered into a contest drawing after donating to WWP, in which they have won upwards of $700,000. Mr. Nelson then advises a cashier’s check will arrive via FedEx within the next few days.

• WWP does not participate in any sweepstakes or contest drawings of this nature, nor do we enter our donors in any contest drawing.
• This scheme results in the victim attempting to deposit the cashier’s check, which is likely fraudulent, or with the scammer requesting bank wire information up front to transfer the funds, then compromising the victim’s bank account.
• Sweepstakes and contest schemes can be reported directly to the FTC – to learn more, visit www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0199-prize-scams 

WWP has had several callers report a fraudulent telephone scheme to us. The phone number shows up as (888) 888-3011 on caller ID. Promises of cash prizes and the return number (855) 345-6102 are typically given by “Eric.” Upon calling back either phone number, calls were then routed to Wounded Warrior Project.

This may be what the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) refers to as “caller ID spoofing.” The FCC is aware of the problem and is taking steps to identify the perpetrators and asks anyone who receives these calls to file a complaint with the FCC. You can find out more on caller ID spoofing and file a complaint here: fcc.gov/guides/caller-id-and-spoofing 

WWP has been alerted to a fraudulent scheme using our name in an attempt to recruit supporters for the purpose of advertising. The person calling/texting claims to be offering $400 weekly in return for displaying a decal/sticker on your vehicle.

• WWP does not include this method as part of our marketing strategy and does not send group text messages or recorded phone calls for this purpose.
• If you are uncertain about a call or text you received, do not provide any personal information over the phone and notify us at FraudAlert@woundedwarriorproject.org with details.
• Additionally, we do not recommend you click on any links provided in the solicitation.
• Reports of this Scam can be directly filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov/complaint. The FTC also requests that the text message be forwarded to SPAM (7726).

The name of the person sending the text/email is John Café coming from email address woundedwarriorunitedstate@gmail.com, and/or phone numbers (717) 275-4242 and (912) 665-0907.

A three-judge panel has denied an appeal and upheld the original verdict in a battle between two charities that support returning American veterans and were using similar names. Read more.