Individuals orchestrating frauds and scams use clever schemes to defraud millions of people every year. They often combine sophisticated technology with age-old tricks to get people to send money or give out personal information. They add new twists to old schemes including, at times, using the American Heart Association’s name or content.
Disclosure of personal Information
The AHA recommends that you be vigilant and suspicious of any email that asks you to provide your email password, or sensitive personal information like social security number, credit card number or drivers’ license number. The American Heart Association will never ask for that information by email.
Product Endorsement
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association do NOT endorse products or services. Any claims that the AHA endorses a specific commercial product, process, service or enterprise are not true.
The American Heart Association may certify specific products or services that have met specific criteria. Please visit these links for more information on our Hospital Certification Program and Heart-Check Program.
Certified Trainers or Courses
The American Heart Association does not certify trainers, doctors or training courses created by other organizations. Any claims that training products or materials are “AHA Certified,” “AHA Approved,” “AHA Compliant” or “created by AHA certified” people, where the “AHA” means the American Heart Association, are not true.
Fraudulent Solicitations
If you suspect telephone solicitations, emails or other communications are making fraudulent claims related to the American Heart Association or American Stroke Association, please contact us right away at 1-800-242-8721 or reportfraud@heart.org. We also urge anyone receiving fake solicitations to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission by calling the FTC at: 877-FTC-HELP or online at ftccomplaintassistant.gov, (link opens in new window)your state Attorney General consumer protection office, and local law enforcement.
Recent Examples of Reported Scams and Misrepresentations:
American Heart Association/ Sessions 2018 FRAUDULENT WEBSITES AND REGISTRATION/HOTEL BOOKING SCAMS
The American Heart Association (the organizers of Scientific Sessions 2018) has been alerted to fraudulent program websites posing as official Sessions 2018 websites, as well as unauthorized housing and registration companies attempting to solicit event attendees. Please note that these websites and solitications are scams and avoid sharing any personal and/or financial information. The use of our name (American Heart Association) on any of these sites and their communications are both fraudulent.
Booking through the American Heart Association’s official housing and registration providers (listed below) ensures that you are working with a reputable company, your credit card information is secure, and you benefit from all services provided to conference attendees. Please look for the official Sessions 2018 vendor partner logo on all communications.
CDS (Convention Data Services) is the only authorized registration company for Sessions 2018.
onpeak (https://compass.onpeak.com/e/73SCS18) is the only authorized housing company for Sessions 2018 to provide individual attendee housing.
IGH (https://sessionsigh.heart.org/Home.aspx) is the only authorized housing company for Sessions 2018 to provide international group housing
Other Frauds/Scams
Africa USA Forum
The American Heart Association has received reports of email solicitations to register for an “Africa USA Forum” claiming to be one of our conferences, using our name and description and asking for registration payment. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY SUCH EVENT AND THEIR USE OF OUR NAME IS FRAUDULENT. If you receive a solicitation for an “Africa USA Forum” with our name attached, do not respond, do not click on any links and call 1-800-AHA-USA-1 toll-free (1-800-242-8721) to report it.
AHA has become aware of people claiming to be from “the American Heart & Stroke Association” who tried to sell insurance to unsuspecting families. The sales person was very persistent and tried to gain entry to the home to provide “information” about the insurance. The AHA does not sell or endorse insurance or any similar products.
Homes across the U.S. are getting automated calls from a company claiming to be American Senior Benefits. The calls urge seniors to get a free medical alert system, “as endorsed by the American Heart Association.” Apparently, after connecting to a live person, consumers learn that the medical alert system requires an ongoing monthly maintenance fee.The American Heart Association does not endorse products.
Source:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/General/Fraud-Warning_UCM_451200_Article.jsp#.WyG7zadKhPZ