The Library received to one of its email addresses what appears to be a scam email seeking donations to the premiers relief fund.
Here is the text of the email
Funds raised as at 10.20 am, 14 January 2011: $54,636,576 The Queensland Government has launched an appeal to help fellow Queenslanders affected by the recent floods. Many communities have been devastated. Some families have lost everything. You can help make a difference by donating to the Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal. The Premier has announced the establishment of a Distribution Committee, a bi-partisan committee including representatives from the Australian Red Cross, to manage the disbursement of the donated funds. At this time, the Queensland Government is inviting financial donations only. Unfortunately this appeal cannot accept donations of goods or services. Please do not turn up directly at the evacuation centres as they are not currently staffed to handle the donations. If you have quality goods or items you can donate them through us, a not-for-profit organisation that provides charities with access to donated goods. Make a donation to the Premier’s Disaster relief appeal using a secure payment through Western Union Money Transfer: Send to Peter Green, C/O Department of the Premier and Cabinet Premiers disaster Relief appeal PO Box 15185 City East QLD 4002 premiersdisasterreliefappeal@y7mail.com May God help you as you donate. Best Regards
Now here is why we know its a scam
1. If it was from from the Queensland Government there would be a Government logo of some sort.
2. It makes reference to a western union money transfer to a premiersdisasterreliefappeal@y7mail.com
There is no way the Government would use a non government email address.
3. It also refers to the donation of goods — ALL agencies need cash not goods. The Salvation army specifically stated the logistics of getting goods to those in need are impossible. Money is what they and other agencies need.
There will be more scam emails seeking money over the coming months.
Please check your emails carefully and don’t get caught.
If you are considering making a donation the Queensland government page can be found here;
http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html
The Burdekin Library Team