Scam Targeting Pastor E-mail Accounts & Text Messages

Dear First Congregational members and friends, There is a scam targeting churches that’s been ongoing for a number of months we have also been targeted. The scammers send an e-mail or text message that PRETENDS to be from your pastor but IS NOT. These can be very convincing. For example, the screenshot I saw earlier today appeared to be coming from my e-mail address AND included a photo of me. 

The scammers typically ask for something vague like “I need your help with something, please reply.” If you reply they will then attempt to draw you into a scam. The most common one I’ve heard of involves the pastor pretending to need gift cards to assist someone in need, but I’m sure there are other versions. 

I will not send you an e-mail or text message asking you for money or gift cards. I am also NOT very likely to send you a message that vaguely says "can you help with something?"

If you receive an e-mail or text message that looks like it’s from me asking for help with something, you should:
1) open up a NEW e-mail or text message (do NOT reply to the message you received)
2) type my e-mail address or phone number into the NEW message
3) use the NEW message to ask  if I contacted you
(You could also call or ask me in person, of course).

Please contact Sandy or me if you have any questions. 

Pastor Caela