MRSEA President's Message

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March 8th, 2024
 
Dear MRSEA members and fellow State Retirees -
 
As your state board president, I have recently been made aware that some members of MRSEA chapters throughout Minnesota have been targeted by scammers posing as me or others in positions of state of chapter leadership, requesting "donations" to fund future MRSEA events through the purchase of gift cards. These requests are SPAM and should be deleted or tossed in the trash.
 
I want to emphasize that MRSEA WILL NEVER ASK FOR GIFT CARD CONTRIBUTIONS. Any requests for purchasing Gift Cards on behalf for MR.SEA have been sent by fraudsters who just want to steal your money.
 
How do you protect yourself from gift card scams? How do gift card scams work?
  • Fraudsters may send scam emails, use phone calls or tamper with gift cards at stores to steal people's money.
  • Many gift card scams happen over the phone because imposters know they can get you to stay on the line while you purchase gift cards and share the numbers and PINs.
  • You’ll be asked to purchase and share the gift card number and PIN. This information is typically on the back of the card, and it gives them instant access to the money on the card. Scammers will

often keep you on the phone and tell you exactly which gift cards to buy (Amazon, Target, Google Play, etc.).
  • If you purchase gift cards at the store, check card packaging and keep your gift card receipts. If your gift card has been tampered with before you purchased it, and you discover the dollar amount of the card has been reduced or is zero by someone other than the card holder, you have been scammed and should call to speak to the gift card company to see if you can get a refund
 
Legitimate companies will never demand (nor typically accept) payment via gift cards. The moment someone asks for a gift card payment, you should hang up, delete the email, or throw the request in the trash.
 As we travel into the 2024 New Year. Please remember to be careful of these recurring scams.



​

D. William (Bill) O'Brien MRSEA Board
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

These are both exciting and worrisome times to be a Minnesota State retiree.
Exciting - due to nearly limitless access (many virtual) to events, activities, and volunteer opportunities available to retirees with available time.
Worrisome - due to the reality of high inflation and the corresponding reduction in purchasing power for those on fixed monthly pensions.
Both outlooks are good cause to renew or become a member of MRSEA.   
  • Every fall we provide access to virtual benefit open enrollment information meetings to supplement materials mailed by Minnesota Management and Budget. 
  • We provide links to attend our Virtual Annual Meeting and to access materials presented during our most recent and prior meetings. 
  • MRSEA can connect you to a local subchapter where you can meet with fellow retirees, and keep you informed on important issues related to your State retiree benefits.
  • We provide Action Alerts on the MRSEA website and via emails, including ways to contact your State and local legislators on important pension and benefits bills and issues.
By being a part of MRSEA, you increase the strength of our organization in our efforts to protect and enhance your State benefits.  See the link on our website homepage to renew or join MRSEA!

Best Regards,
D. William (Bill) O’Brien
President, MRSEA