The Royal Canadian Legion warns members of the public of a fraudulent website that is misrepresenting themselves as the Legion.
The website, displaying the Legion logo and VETS Canada logo, plus information from the Legion’s national website, features an online ‘Legion Shop’ which sells Poppy items protected under trademark.
Listed as www.legionca.com, this website was widely promoted using Facebook ads, even going so far as to create a bogus Facebook page to draw in supporters.
The website is operating illegally and deceiving people into thinking they are supporting the Legion and veterans through their purchases. Sites such as this may also be used to steal money and personal information with every transaction.
The Legion has reported the website and Facebook pages to the authorities and has taken steps to have the website, Facebook page and ads removed.
The Qualicum Beach Legion Branch 49 is encouraging anyone who purchased items through the website to contact their financial institution to ensure their credit card and personal information are secure.
Although their motivations are not known, the Legion is shocked and disgusted that its trademarks and goodwill have been used to mislead Canadians and to profit from their support for veterans.
— Submitted by Lynn MacLean, Qualicum Beach Legion Branch 76
