Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) Scams
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) Scams

There has been an increasing number of phone, text, social media and email LCIF scams. Therefore, online users are asked to be aware of scams that fraudulently use the Lions Clubs International (LCI) or Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) name or logo, or other trusted and well-known names. The goal of these types of scams is to trick people into revealing personal and financial information about themselves, which can then be used to commit identity theft.

If you receive a suspicious email, text, check or social media message, please follow these guidelines:

  • Do not reply, open any attachments or click on any links in the message.
  • Be wary of any offer to accept a check or money order in an amount greater than you are owed or requests to return money back to the check sender.
  • Do not immediately cash an unexpected or surprise check. Unless you are expecting a check, and you are absolutely certain it is meant for you, do not deposit it.
  • Do not pay upfront for a promise like a grant, debt relief or financial assistance.
  • Texts and Facebook notices that you have received a grant, but first need to provide personal data.
  • Unexpected checks from Lions and/or LCIF that look legitimate, including correct routing numbers.
  • Emails or messages from individuals you know saying they are in distress and need you to send money.
  • Phone calls from perpetrators posing as Lions or staff, asking for donations via phone.

Unfortunately, if you lose money in a scam, notify your bank immediately and see if they can help. Protect yourself!

  • If someone contacts you via phone, text, social media or email, no matter how legitimate he or she may seem, never give out personal information such as: passwords, Social Security numbers or national ID, credit card or bank account numbers, driver’s license or passport numbers.
  • As a general practice when receiving unsolicited emails, do not follow embedded links in emails, especially if there is any mention of updating credit card information, personal data, PIN numbers or passwords. Delete these emails immediately.
  • If you should be redirected to a website, verify that the URL address begins with “https://.” The single letter “S” after “http” indicates that it is a secure site, and is likely legitimate. If the URL is not secure, close your browser immediately.
  • If contacted by another club member or the association headquarters via email, mobile text message or social media, and there is a request for financial assistance, wire transfer, etc. do not reply to the message. Contact the club member or association staff separately via email, phone or through the MyLCI Communications Center to validate that the request is legitimate.
  • Always use virus protection software on your PC or MAC.
  • Exercise caution when using public Wi-Fi systems in a coffee house, restaurant or internet café. These public systems offer no protection from unauthorized fraudulent monitoring.
  • Create strong passwords for your email, social media and other online accounts, and update your passwords often.
  • Never store passwords, banking information or credit card numbers in your email.
  • If you receive an unexpected check, do not deposit it but instead contact the source of the funds to confirm you were to receive the funds.
  • If a person you don’t know personally asks you to wire money on behalf of LCI or LCIF, contact the help desk.

If you want to donate, do so through your local club or online at lcif.org/donate. If you suspect a scam, or if you're unsure, please contact helpdesk@lionsclubs.org or call 1-630-468-6800.

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Comment sectionComments / Answers (19)

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Comment count 19

by an anonymous user from: San Marcos, Texas, United States

Someone I have not heard from in about 15 years told me that he had received money from the grant and that MY name was on the list. How can my name be on anything unless I applied for it first.

Delete

by an anonymous user from: Weare, New Hampshire, United States

Someone close to me tried to get me to do this. She claimed she received a $150k. I smelled a scam and found this website. Yup! It’s a scam all right.

I’ll never why people fall for this c**p. Nothing is free!

Delete

by an anonymous user from: Dallas, Grand Prairie, Texas, United States

Does anyone know of a Cole Milner

Delete

by an anonymous user from: Dallas, Grand Prairie, Texas, United States

Does anybody know the name Cole Milner

Delete

by an anonymous user from: E2, London, England, United Kingdom

my friend told me I could get a grant from the lions club international,so I have followed his instructions to a https;//m.m/Darrellclark6y thats the link and followed her instructions, gave my name date of birth, but when she said you have to pay the tax £500 I am to go to ASDA tomorrow and buy £500 worth of steam gift cards or Google play cards, then get in touch with her and my money will be delivered by FEDEX the alarm bells rang. I then got a text from her to ask me not to mention the to anybody.I THINK THIS IS A SCAM My friend has swich the phone OFF. N Bedson

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by an anonymous user from: Loudoun, Ashburn, Virginia, United States

They used my friends Facebook account to get to me. I trusted her so I believed it. The agent to contact was Emily Tetah a nd the person to send money to was Robert Eugene Webster inTMpa Florida.

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by an anonymous user from: Renton, Washington, United States

My friend said he sent $2500 and received his check in SAN BERNARDINO,California. I'm always skeptical, so I; CHECKING IT OUT BEFORE I SEND $1,000 TO GET
$100,000. SAID I CAN SEND IT THROUGH Walmart. THEN I'd GET MY MONEY IN 8 DAYS BY FED EX.

FROM RENTON WA

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by info

Do be fooled, it is a scam. Why do you need to send $1,000 to receive $100,000? Becauae it is how scammers trick their victims into sending them money.

If you send money, the scammers will take it and disappear.

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by info

"I was giving information about applying for a grant thru lions club foundation . person name is karen marshall asking send fee of $2500 for grant of $90,000. her number is 760 730 6963 but she does not answer everything is thru texting. She wants you to buy 2 e bay gift card and take picture of it and send it to her. your money will arrive by fed ex."

Received via email another scam attempt.

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by an anonymous user from: Riverview, Florida, United States

Received info from hacked Facebook account. They recommended that I contact an agent using text number (208) 274-5622 and email lynchloretta6-gmail.com Do not contact this person.

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by an anonymous user from: West Covina, California, United States

Same number contacted me. I didn't send money but definitely fooled because it came from someone I knew on IG. But there account was hacked. Agent to contact was attorney jefferson holder and instructed to pay via zelle Jennifer hierro to get check.

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by an anonymous user from: Carson City, Nevada, United States

I feel through this scam via a cousin who raved about she is so happy and how much money she got from a grant. I fell for it and now out of 14K and they want another 7K for FedEx Insurance Security before they would even send me my money...

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by an anonymous user from: Markham, Ontario, Canada

Unfortunately my wife and I fell victim to this sh**tty scam and being close to Christmas we are now out 1500

Delete

by info

1 (717) 282-2703

Received text messages from this phone number advising me that I am eligible for the international Lions Club

"THIS IS THE BREAKDOWN OF THE GRANT
YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR DELIVERY WHICH HAVE TO BE PAID UPFRONT THIS IS TO ENABLE PROPER DELIVERY OF YOUR GRANT
YOU
PAY $500 AND GET $50.000.00
YOU PAY $1000 AND GET $100.000.00
YOU PAY $1500 AND GET $150.000.00
YOU PAY $2000 AND GET $200.000.00
YOU PAY $3500 AND GET
$350.000.00
AND YOU CAN ALSO PAY $4000 TO GET $400.000.00
YOU PAY $6000 AND GET $600.000.00
LET US KNOW OF THE FUND YOU WANT TO APPLY FOR SO THAT WE CAN SEND YOU A COPY OF ITS CERTIFICATE . NOTE.....YOU CAN ONLY APPLY FOR THIS GRANT ONCE IN A LIFETIME"

Received via email.

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by an anonymous user from: West Covina, California, United States

This happened to me but it was SSBG block grant. If you pay us this amount, your grant will be another amount like your breakdown. Agent was an attorney jefferson holder 208 274 5622 only texted. Instructed to pay via zelle or cash app to jennifer hierro. I am going to report to local pd.

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by an anonymous user from: Laredo, Texas, United States

I have a friend from other years and he ask me to give information to get a benefit from licf. It will be in cash delivered trought ups. The agent must be William Scott.

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by an anonymous user from: Laredo, Texas, United States

I have a friend from other years and he ask me to give information to get a benefit from licf. It will be in cash delivered trought ups

Delete

by an anonymous user from: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Do you know of an Emily Tetah? I was told to contact her in reference to a grant.

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by an anonymous user from: Madison, Richmond, Kentucky, United States

Did she end up being a scammer? I was told to email her as well

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