I would like to make the readers of the Independent aware of a scam involving the donation of a piano.

I am the president of the Sun City Piano Club. In my capacity I receive numerous inquiries regarding help with the sale and/or donation of pianos (e.g. people moving, etc.). Most of these are legitimate.

However, recently I have received several emails indicating that for a number of reasons, (e.g. death of a spouse, scaling back, etc.), the owner would like to donate a relatively new piano. In the vetting process to ascertain more information, I am informed that the piano is out of state and that the beneficiary would need to absorb the expense of moving the piano. When I ask for a telephone number, the email dialogue abruptly ends.

If you happen to be the recipient of an email similar to the aforementioned, I would encourage you to exercise extreme caution before sending any money to ship a piano that you probably would not receive.