Category: Communication

Fraud Watch- Fake Checks

MSG Communications Resources Logo
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Checks might seem like something from the past, but scammers often use fake checks in their crimes so they can exploit the time it takes for them to bounce. During that waiting period, scammers will ask you to act on those funds. But once the check bounces, any amount you acted on is gone. This tactic shows up in several scam types from fake job and work-from-home scams (the fake check is to purchase equipment from the “employer” or for you to wire or otherwise send funds to “vendors”), to a seemingly innocent overpayment you received where you’re asked to send part of the money back.

It’s important to know that, just because the check looks like it cleared, it doesn’t mean it has – it can take time for a bank to validate a check, but the federal rules are to make the amount available, usually within 24-48 hours. Use caution when accepting a check: ensure it is validated by your bank and reject seeming overpayments where you’re asked to pay back the overage to the sender.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

More Topic Resources

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

AARP Fraud Watch Network

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out the AARP online form or email me@aarp.org.

More Scam Emails

Here we go again! Please, when you receive an email, be a bit suspicious! Because you are, I’m receiving emails questioning whether or not emails that appear to be from President Sherry are legitimate. They are not!

The short version is that a scammer has figured out how to make it look like the email is from Sherry. One recent version is a two-step process where it looks like she is asking for help. When you reply (which you shouldn’t–all that does is confirm your address is correct and you may take the bait), you are asked to purchase gift cards.

I have blurred information identifying the recipient.

This is happening in many organizations, not just the Grange. One reason we are publishing the weekly Fraud Watch is that scammers are getting better at what they do! Whenever you receive an email that involves gift cards, urgency (so you don’t stop to think) and confidentiality (so you don’t ask somebody) the odds are extremely high it’s a scam! This one is extra sneaky because the first email arouses curiosity. If you take the bait and reply, the next email won’t show the sender’s real email address.

If you receive a suspicious email, the best thing to do is ignore it. If you’re concerned, contact the alleged sender (in this case, Sherry) either by using her legitimate address or by telephone.

Other than these warnings, there is nothing I, the website, or Maine State Grange can do to prevent or stop this. It’s the price we pay for the convenience of technology.

Stay smart and suspicious!

Fraud Watch- Sweepstakes Scams

MSG Communications Resources Logo
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Who wouldn’t want to win thousands or even millions of dollars, or the chance to go on a luxury vacation? There are many legitimate sweepstakes and contests out there, and the idea of winning some fabulous prize can be mighty alluring. Criminals get that, and they exploit our excitement to score that big check or dream trip.

When a sweepstakes or a contest is fraudulent, there is often a big red flag: you must first pay upfront fees or taxes to get your prize. No legitimate sweepstakes or contest requires upfront payment. Another clue is if you are asked to share sensitive information to receive your prize, such as your Social Security number or bank account information. Again, this is something perpetrators do, not legitimate entities.

If you find yourself reacting to an out-of-the-blue communication with a heightened emotion, and it comes to you with great urgency, let that be an indicator or a fraud attempt. Take an “active pause” – consider what you are being confronted with, what you might know about it, and then react with intention. That moment of deliberation could be what keeps you safe.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

More Topic Resources

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

AARP Fraud Watch Network

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Click the link to fill out the AARP online form or email me@aarp.org.

You’ll Miss Us!

a “webatorial” by MSG Communications Director
Walter Boomsma

Seth Godin wrote an interesting post suggesting that when people move away, cards and cake should read, “You’ll miss us” instead of “We’ll miss you.” He points out that the community remains.

One of the more powerful sentences in the short post was, “When a marketer serves a community, they create the conditions where they’d be missed–because the ideas or products or services they bring are important, not simply tolerated.“

With apologies to Seth, I changed a word or two. “When a Grange serves a community, they create the conditions where they’d be missed–because the ideas or services they bring are important, not simply tolerated.“

My revision raises a question for Granges. Would your communities miss you if you were gone? Would they even notice? Are you important or simply tolerated?

One of the challenges we face as an organization is relevance in communities that are loosely defined and increasingly diverse. If our vision is narrow and our goals are limited, we will be missed by an ever-diminishing number of people. For example, not everyone likes potluck suppers.

Seth’s short message is that marketers should see a worthwhile goal of creating ideas, products, or services that the community would miss.

Maybe it’s time for Granges to figure out what they can create and offer that their communities would miss.

Karen loves the Grange!

I love the Grange for all the support to all people! It’s awesome to hear so much about the history .

Karen Small, Golden Harvest Grange #33

Phil loves the Grange!

Why I love the Grange is the feeling of belonging. It really is the definition of family.

Phil Roberts, Jonesboro Grange #357

Communications Column – April 2025

By Walter Boomsma
207 343-1842
Communications Director

Whazup?

Ironically, our Grange fiscal year starts in the fall but for many Granges, their program year starts in the spring! If you attend this year’s Degree Day, you’ll also discover that conferring the First Degree takes place on a farm in the springtime. April is traditionally celebrated as Grange Month. So maybe it does all start here.

One way we find out is by answering the question “Whazup?” For those uninitiated in contemporary contractions and lingo, the question facing us is “What’s up in your Grange?” We could further complicate it by creating a series of questions:

  • What has happened (projects, programs, celebrations) in your Grange recently?
  • What is going to happen (projects, programs, celebrations) in your Grange in the future?

“Inquiring minds want to know…” is a phrase attributed to the tabloid newspaper “The National Enquirer” in the 1970s. In its original form, it was spelled enquiring, making it a catchy slogan that reflects the value of a curious mind that wants to know as much as possible.

Some of you will remember when the Maine State Grange published a bit of a print tabloid newspaper. Most Granges had a correspondent who submitted a version of whazup in their Grange. Sometimes the results were a bit “gossipy” but generally included short summaries of recent meetings and activities. It worked because it was informal and simple. It worked because it kept members around the state feeling connected.

As we spring into a new year, it’s tempting to suggest every Grange needs a correspondent—someone who is at least informally interested in proactively answering those whazup questions. The MSG Website is committed to serving, sharing, and connecting local Granges. That also means local Granges need to connect with us! Inquiring minds DO want to know (including mine!). We don’t need to formalize a program, we just need a few people who are willing to share whazup in our Granges.

There are many ways to do this. You can, for example, submit basic information about your events using the submit tab on the website. The advantage of this route is that the form will ensure you provide all the required information. (How many times have I seen events listed on social media with no location given?) Submitting to the site accomplishes a lot of things! If the event is in the future, it gets listed on the MSG Events Calendar. We’ll also create a post for you. Those posts stay on the site, get emailed to our website subscribers, and are easily shared on social media by anyone who subscribes to or visits the site. If you have a flyer for your event, attach it to an email and send it to webmaster@mainestategrange.org. We’ll take it from there!

If you volunteer to do this for your Grange, you might find the MSG Communications Handbook helpful! That handbook includes information that will help you communicate, publicize, and advertise your Grange. There are tips submitted by Granges and lists of major and weekly newspapers. Lots of helpful information!

We still have close to one hundred Granges in Maine. There should be (and probably are) more events than those listed on the calendar. That’s a great place to start—easy peasy! At least send the basics! We don’t list “regular” meetings—with the exception of Pomona Meetings—but if your regular meeting includes a special program, that qualifies! When in doubt, share it! The more advanced notice you give, the more we can help.

Inquiring minds do want to know. When we recently promoted Valley Grange’s Blanketeering event, we had people come from miles away and produce a record number of blankets. It works. Help us prove it by sharing whazup at your Grange.

The News Is Where You Find It. If you wonder how the Amish (who tend to shun technology and the Internet) stay connected around the country, check out this article.

► FACT: Did you know that the MSG Communications Handbook includes a list of daily and weekly newspapers in Maine with contact information?

Terry loves the Grange!

I am a 4th Generation Granger, who used to benefit from the sewing contest and my great grandfather served on the Maine State Grange Executive Committee. I will never forget the year my great-grandmother made dresses, for me and all my cousins. Another fond memory was going to Grange with grandparents, and after singing for the Lecturer’s Program, having to go down stairs and wait. Oh the fun of laughing at the “old people.” Needless to say, my grandchildren are 6th generation and have enjoyed JR Grange activities. I can travel the USA and visit many different states with Grangers. I have made many lasting relationships. I love attending meetings and visiting friends, new, old, far or near. I have plenty of opportunity to relax at a meeting, participate, or find out rules to be competitive. My entire family is welcomed or I can enjoy my extended family. The Grange has changed a bit over the years but my memories of the Grange have not.

Terry LaCombe, Hudson Grange #457/Tranquility Grange #344

Tammy loves the Grange!

I love the Grange because, it reminds me how important community is and how important we are to our town.

Tammy Willey, St. George Grange #421

Janice loves the Grange!

A fellow Granger is never a stranger. There is an immediate bond between Grangers. We are part of a long and honorable tradition. Through Grange Programs, I can serve my community in ways I cannot do alone.

Janice, Valley Grange #144