Fraudulent text messages that are going out under its name, logo and likeness have one major gun-rights organization warning members to beware of the scam.
On December 23, Gun Owners of America (GOA) published a national alert to members, alerting them about the fake text messages and what to do if they receive one.
“We have been made aware of fraudulent text messages circulating that falsely use the Gun Owners of America (GOA) name, logo, and likeness,” the alert stated. “These messages are NOT from GOA.”
As the organization further explained, the messages are veiled attempts to steal personal information from members.
“Scammers are sending text messages that appear to come from GOA and may ask you to click a link, request personal or financial information, claim urgent action is required or offer fake prizes, donations or political alerts,” the national alert stated. “These messages are designed to deceive and steal information. GOA will never ask for passwords, PINs or verification codes, request sensitive personal or banking information via text, or pressure you with threats or urgent demands.”
GOA said that if you receive one of these messages, do not click any links, do not reply, delete the message immediately and, if possible, report it as spam through your mobile carrier.
“If you’re ever unsure whether a message or communication is legitimately from GOA, the safest step is to visit our official website directly or contact our team through known GOA channels,” the alert concluded. “Your security and trust matter to us. We appreciate you staying vigilant and helping protect the GOA community.”
At this time, there has been nothing to suggest that the fraudulent texts were instigated by anti-gun groups.
The fraudulent texts come as GOA and other gun-rights organizations are fighting against Second Amendment infringements in the courts, state legislatures and the U.S. Congress. Most recently, GOA has brought to light the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive’s (ATF) repeated violations of the Tiahrt Amendment.
“Unfortunately, career employees at ATF have now intentionally violated the Tiahrt Amendments on at least two occasions—setting a dangerous precedent that must be reversed,” GOA stated in a news release announcing the breeches. “What is at stake here bears emphasis. If anti-gunners obtain Tiahrt-protected data, they will use it to harass urban gun stores and high-volume retailers in civil lawsuits, alleging that a high number of trace requests implies these businesses carelessly transfer firearms to criminals.”
Unfortunately, the breaches have continued under the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ).
“The Biden ATF inadvertently sent GOA unredacted FOIA documents, in violation of Tiahrt, and then secured a court-mandated gag order to prevent GOA from using the information,” GOA wrote. “But in an outrageous attempt to moot our lawsuit against this Biden-era censorship, the Bondi ATF intentionally released these same FOIA documents to GOA, selectively un-redacting Tiahrt-protected data despite acknowledging in court that it cannot in fact do that.”
