[Editor’s note: Although this message is addressed to APS members, it is an important warning for all stamp collectors.]

ALL MEMBERS PLEASE BEWARE: An individual or group has been reported to APS as using the name of past APS President, John Hotchner, in a scam requiring a substantial cash deposit (which is then stolen) as basis for help in selling a collection. Members should 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. 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.

PLEASE REPORT CALLS AND ANY INFORMATION: We are trying to gather as much information as we can in order to turn this over to the authorities.  If you have been contacted by these people, please call the APS at 814-933-3812 or email Complaint Manager Wendy Masorti and provide any details you have.  And 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 email AGAIN so that we can properly document your information.  Several APS staff members have been receiving these calls and may not have collected all pertinent information that we are now documenting – so please call again as all calls are now being directed to our Complaint Manager, Wendy Masorti.

HELP GET THE WORD OUT:  Everyone please help get the word out on this so that fellow collectors are not taken advantage of.  Clubs please inform all your members.

Again, if you have any information please call the APS at 814-933-3812 or email Complaint Manager Wendy Masorti and provide any details you have