Today's scam

[Horace]

seems obviously a scam? Someone got a list of emails for the congregation, and sent emails from a fake account for pastor chris. An inside job to the extent that they knew the congregation had some new pastors. Not very inside.

[Jolly]

Scam.

[Renauda]

Yes. Stop all communications and report to local police commercial crime unit.

[George K]

They sell them at Dollar Tree, King Soopers or any store around.

There's no King Soopers in the Chicago area.

[Renauda]

@George-K

There's no King Soopers in the Chicago area.

There you have it then, hoisted by his own petard..

[Copper]

That was not even close from the first mention of gift cards.

Call the police.

[George K]

The "grammar" in the request is funny too.

[George K]

Ahmed was wondering if "Pastor Chris" got the gift cards.

[George K]

Oopsie! I accidentally posted his email address.

Hope no one bothers him.

[George K]

Pastor Mark replied:

Mrs. Kxxxxxxxxx.

You and your husband are correct.
Any email that is not from Pastor Chris's original address chuXXXXte@***** is bogus and a scam.

There have been reports of members in other congregations receiving similar attempts to steal monies. It started a few years back, scammers started trolling church websites, using legitimate clergy names but using bogus addresses, hoping readers wouldnt notice.

You caught the criminals redhanded in their attempt to steal.

I'm not sure why they chose this moment to target our church. They may keep trying. Vigilance like yours is the only deterrence we have. They only go away when their tricks yield no results.

Sadly, they'll only end up subjecting other congregations to their cheating scams.

I advise
Please share no personal info with anyone. Not even your phone number.
If you get any phonecalls pitching this scam, id hangup asap. And then permanently block that number.

Ive had members get scam calls, falsely claiming to be a grandchild by name, saying they need grandpa to send money orders or gift cards on account of some bogus crisis.

Bottom line, follow your instincts. They have already served you well. If it sounds fishy, it is.

Thank you for being careful.

Grace and peace
Pastor Mark