We have recently been informed of fraudulent emails being sent under the names of IFAA board members. These messages falsely request recipients to purchase gift cards or transfer funds to a so-called “colleague” abroad, allegedly for research journals related to IFAA. Please be aware that these emails are scams.

The style of these emails may vary. Some are written in a friendly and informal tone, while others attempt to create pressure through intimidating or urgent language. The email could also include other reasons than those listed above.

Please note:

• IFAA Board Members will never ask you to purchase gift cards or transfer funds—especially not from personal bank accounts.
• IFAA Board Members only use institutional emails for correspondence, no gmail, no gmx, no yahoo etc.
• Anything on the name of board members which is not an institutional email address is not genuine, please ignore it, do not reply, and delete it. Even if the email appears genuine, always-double check the content (see below).

To protect yourself and avoid supporting scammers, we strongly recommend the following precautions:

How to Stay Safe

• Do not transfer money from private bank accounts and never purchase gift cards based on email requests.
• Verify the sender: If you receive a suspicious email, contact the alleged sender through an independent channel (e.g., by phone or using the official email address listed on the IFAA website).
• Check the email address carefully: Fraudulent messages are often sent from free accounts such as “profdoe@gmail.com” rather than official institutional addresses. (Note: even official-looking addresses can be spoofed—remain cautious.)
• Look for inconsistencies: Poor grammar, unusual phrasing, or urgent requests for secrecy are common red flags.
• Do not click on links or open attachments in suspicious emails, as these may contain malware or lead to phishing websites.
• Report suspicious emails: Forward them to your institution's IT support or the official IFAA contact, so they can be investigated.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your email and other important accounts, which provides an extra layer of protection.
• Trust your instincts: If something feels unusual or suspicious, it probably is.