SCA Email Fraud Investigation
Donation protected
As many SCA members are now aware, on Monday, August 3, 2015, an email was sent to a number of SCA members by someone calling themselves "SCA Elections". I did not receive this email personally, but as soon as it hit email inboxes, my phone, email, and Facebook messaging exploded because it looked like an official email from the SCA, with a copyrighted photo stolen from a fellow SCA member (which the perpetrator(s) illegally obtained from the SCA website), and MY mailing address listed as the owner of "SCA Elections". I then spent the next hours and days trying to understand and respond to all the inquiries of what "I" had supposedly sent out.
In looking at the email and the email spammer, MailChimp, it was clear that someone had to use a verifiable mailing address to set up the account with MailChimp. I believe my address, and probably my name, was chosen because I am the SCA Membership Chair. This was done without my knowledge or consent, and I believe it was to further make this look like an official SCA communication.
At this time, the leadership of the SCA Board is blocking any response to this issue, including partnering in an investigation or launching an investigation of their own. This is despite assurances that they would do so in both the email and yellow postcard sent to all members.
I, and other impacted parties, feel strongly that SCA is culpable in this fraud, but have gone forward and launched our own investigation at our own expense with the help of some concerned members. However, we want the BOG to know that it is our expectation that they take this abuse of myself and other members very seriously to counteract this fraudulent email.
To emphasize that point, we would like to request your financial support for this investigation. Your support will both assist with the funding of the investigation and demonstrate to the SCA Board of Governors, and other members who are vocally dismissive of the issue, that there are members who find the behavior of the individual(s) who sent the email unacceptable, want an investigation conducted and the responsible party held accountable!
When a viable name and address is revealed by the investigation , our attorney will ask the court for reimbursement of all attorney’s fees and associated costs. If we are successful in recovering these funds, the dollars you contribute will be returned to you or donated to either SCARF, SamUrgency or Samoyed Rescue - donor's choice. (Please include your name, so that if/when legal expenses are reimbursed you can be re-paid. Donor names and contact information will only be used for reimbursement purposes.)
My volunteer position, for an organization that I truly care about, has put me in a situation of having my ethics and character sullied. Someone has overstepped the bounds of decency and their identity needs to be known. Please join me in pursuing justice for myself and others impacted by this action. Please also help share word of this campaign with others who you believe would like to see justice pursued. Together, we can demonstrate to the leadership of SCA that there are many who desire a satisfactory & conclusive resolution for our club.
In looking at the email and the email spammer, MailChimp, it was clear that someone had to use a verifiable mailing address to set up the account with MailChimp. I believe my address, and probably my name, was chosen because I am the SCA Membership Chair. This was done without my knowledge or consent, and I believe it was to further make this look like an official SCA communication.
At this time, the leadership of the SCA Board is blocking any response to this issue, including partnering in an investigation or launching an investigation of their own. This is despite assurances that they would do so in both the email and yellow postcard sent to all members.
I, and other impacted parties, feel strongly that SCA is culpable in this fraud, but have gone forward and launched our own investigation at our own expense with the help of some concerned members. However, we want the BOG to know that it is our expectation that they take this abuse of myself and other members very seriously to counteract this fraudulent email.
To emphasize that point, we would like to request your financial support for this investigation. Your support will both assist with the funding of the investigation and demonstrate to the SCA Board of Governors, and other members who are vocally dismissive of the issue, that there are members who find the behavior of the individual(s) who sent the email unacceptable, want an investigation conducted and the responsible party held accountable!
When a viable name and address is revealed by the investigation , our attorney will ask the court for reimbursement of all attorney’s fees and associated costs. If we are successful in recovering these funds, the dollars you contribute will be returned to you or donated to either SCARF, SamUrgency or Samoyed Rescue - donor's choice. (Please include your name, so that if/when legal expenses are reimbursed you can be re-paid. Donor names and contact information will only be used for reimbursement purposes.)
My volunteer position, for an organization that I truly care about, has put me in a situation of having my ethics and character sullied. Someone has overstepped the bounds of decency and their identity needs to be known. Please join me in pursuing justice for myself and others impacted by this action. Please also help share word of this campaign with others who you believe would like to see justice pursued. Together, we can demonstrate to the leadership of SCA that there are many who desire a satisfactory & conclusive resolution for our club.
Organizer
Darlene Rautio
Organizer
Hayden, ID
