Urgent Alert -- Fraudulent Activities
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Incorporated ("Delta") has recently learned of fraudulent
activities being conducted in the name of Delta and
targeted at prospective members. One fraudulent activity
seemingly is being conducted by active members of Delta.
The other activity is being conducted by a woman who
purports to be a Delta. She may be an active Delta,
an expelled Delta, or a person who has never been affiliated
with Delta, but has gained access to certain Delta documents
and are using them to give the appearance of legitimacy
to her fraudulent activities.
Members and non-members
alike, please read the statements below so that you
are informed. Please assist Delta in stamping out fraud
by reporting any suspected fraudulent activity to Delta.
Hazing Contract
Delta has learned that
members of Delta have created a document titled "Hazing
Contract" in which non-Deltas who may be interested
in Delta are urged to "consent" to being hazed. The
document bears Delta's crest and, to unsuspecting and
un-inquiring minds, may appear to be legitimate. The
document is fraudulent. Any document purporting to have
someone consent to being hazed is a fraudulent document.
Delta has not endorsed, approved, or authorized the
creation or use of any such document. Moreover, Delta
would never endorse, approve, or authorize the use of
any such document.
Any such document directly
contravenes Delta's anti-hazing policy (see www.deltasigmatheta.org
and click on: policies/anti-hazing statement). Delta
remains strongly committed to the letter and the spirit
of its anti-hazing policy. Any member who engages in
any form of hazing (including creating false documents
encouraging hazing) or who fails to report hazing shall
be sanctioned by Delta. Any prospective member who allows
herself to be hazed, or participates in any form of
hazing, shall be barred from membership in accordance
with the Code of Conduct.
In addition to being
a violation of Delta's policies, hazing is a crime and
is classified as a felony in many states. Whether an
individual purports to give her "consent" to the crime
is irrelevant. Perpetrators of hazing may be subject
to fines and imprisonment -- even if the victim "consented"
to the acts of hazing. In addition, in many states,
promoting or permitting hazing is also a criminal offense.
In these states, the very act of signing a "Hazing Contract"
may subject an individual to criminal sanctions.
Extortion of Prospective Members
Delta has also received
reports of a membership scam being perpetrated by a
woman who purports to be a Delta. This perpetrator targets
prospective Delta members, promising them assistance
in obtaining membership in Delta in exchange for cash
payments to her.
Under no circumstances
would Delta ask for a cash payment as part of the application
process. Nor would Delta ask for or expect checks or
money orders to be written to any individual. Delta
employs a specific multi-step application process, and
no payment is expected until the process has been completed.
In brief, the process involves; completion of an application
and submission of the application to one of Delta’s
chapters; notification of receipt of the application
and participation in an interview conducted by several
members of the Sorority; notification of acceptance
for membership; requirement that any payment be made
to a recognized chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,
Incorporated.
No single individual
can facilitate anyone's membership into Delta. Delta
members (including local and national leaders) are prohibited
from accepting a monetary contribution from any prospective
member as a condition of membership. Any offer of assistance
in obtaining membership into Delta in exchange for payment
to an individual or individuals is fraudulent.
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Delta is
investigating both activities and has been cooperating
with, and will continue to cooperate with, law enforcement
officials to ensure that all such activities are stopped
and that violators are punished. Please report any activity
in either category to the Member Relations Specialist:
Internal Policies & Procedures at 202-986-2400 extension
397.
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