Usually, in golf and in life, if something seems too good to be true, it’s usually is. Like mishitting a drive may find the fairway once in a while, it’s not a good practice to bank strictly on the technology of your driver to keep it in the short grass.
Similarly, Joe Golf Fan receiving an email out of the blue from the “USGA” asking them to work during the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills may require a little more digging before opting in. However, that type of scam is exactly what has befallen some golf fans in previous weeks; so many, in fact, that the USGA sent out a tweet detailing the scam to their 272,000 Twitter followers.
SCAM ALERT: Someone posing as the USGA is trying to solicit workers for 2018 @usopengolf. It is fraudulent. Please be aware and share. pic.twitter.com/s8XsP9PWEV
— USGA (@USGA) November 1, 2017
Luke Kerr-Dineen from USA Today’s For the Win expanded upon what scammers are trying to accomplish.
On Wednesday, the United States Golf Association shared the below tweet alerting fans to a “malicious” scam targeting golf fans.
According to a USGA spokesperson, the group in question is targeting young fans and college students by sending them money in exchange for personal information, under the fraudulent claim that they are being employed part-time to promote the 2018 U.S. Open. Then, the group will demand repayment and set up “secure” places to meet.
“We are concerned for both our fan’s safety and the security of their personal information. The more we build awareness, the sooner we will stop this malicious behavior,” a USGA spokesperson said. “We’re asking the sports community to spread this far and wide.”
The USGA added that so far, the fraudulent emails have been tracked to California, Ohio and Nebraska.
So, help spread the word. And if anyone wants to see employment or volunteer opportunities for the US Open, only use the careers page on usga.org.
[FTW]
— — —
Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest goings-on in the world of golf by following the SwingxSwing Clubhouse on social media. We share stories, stats and breaking news on Twitter, keep the fun going off the course on Instagram and share any and all golf-related topics on Facebook.
Never be the odd golfer out when your friends are talking about the latest or funniest happenings in golf. Sign up for the SxS newsletter today!
