The American Philatelic Society alerted its members Nov. 17 via e-mail of a fraud alert.

The e-mail from the APS stated that an individual or group has been reported to the society as using the name of past APS president John Hotchner in a scam requiring a substantial cash deposit for help in selling a collection. The deposit is then stolen.

Members were alerted to be on guard against any such offer.

“There is no circumstance in which a cash deposit for being bonded should be required to sell your collection,” said the APS in the e-mail alert. “Mr. Hotchner is not associated with any commercial venture involved in buying or selling collections, and has no involvement of any sort with this scam.”

The APS is gathering information on this scam to provide details to authorities. The e-mail asked collectors who have been contacted by this individual or group to call the APS at 814-933-3812 or e-mail APS complaint manager Wendy Masorti to provide details.

The e-mail further requested, “…if you have given money to these people, please be sure to contact us and provide details as we can use this information to build a case.

“Even if you previously contacted APS regarding this matter, please call or e-mail again so that we can properly document your information.”

Published 11/17/2014 1:27 PM