Scam Alert: Faith Community Gift Card Requests

Today, we’re tackling a sneaky scam hitting faith communities hard: fraudsters pretending to be your pastor, priest, or rabbi, asking for gift cards. It sounds wild, but it’s super common—and I’ve got tips to keep you and your church, synagogue, etc. safe. Let’s dive in!

How Big Is This Scam?

So, how bad is it? The Federal Trade Commission says gift card scams hit $217 million in losses in 2023 alone—way up from the $2 million worshippers lost since 2014, half of that just in early 2019! AARP’s Fraud Watch Network saw complaints soar from once or twice a month to five or six a week during the pandemic—and faith communities are still targets now. Churches from Texas to New Hampshire get hit all the time. Scammers text or email, "Hey, it’s Pastor Steve, I need $200 in iTunes cards as a surprise gift for a cancer patient, but I’m busy caring for a family, can you help me? Please don’t tell anyone! I want it to be a surprise!" 

Spoiler: it ain’t Pastor Steve and he couldn’t care less about helping a cancer patient.

These fraudsters bank on your relationship with your faith leader and your trust—80% of breaches start with human slip-ups, and faith communities are prime targets because they're typically full of compassionate people who want to help. But, as Jesus said, we can be as innocent as doves, but wise as serpents. Let’s outsmart these crooks! 

How the Scam Works

Here’s the playbook: Scammers grab church info from websites—names, numbers, even bulletins—then pose as your faith leader. They might say they’re stuck out of town or in a secret meeting, seeking your sympathy and heightening the sense of urgency for gift cards - Amazon, Google Play, whatever. You buy them and send the codes, they cash out, and poof—they’re gone with your money. It’s low-tech but effective and hits hard because it feels personal.

So, what can parishioners do?

Thankfully, we're not powerless.

1.) Slow Down and Check

If you get a weird email or text or social media message, don’t rush. Call your leader directly—use a phone number you already have, not the one in the text.

2.) Spot Red Flags

No name in the greeting? Spelling errors? A gift card ask? These are always a scam—real church leaders might enjoy a gift card at Christmas or during Pastor Appreciation Month, but they’re not going to hit you up for it! If they do, uh - you might have another problem on your hands. 

3.) Say No to Codes

Never share gift card numbers.

Talk It Up

Tell all of your church friends about this scam—scammers hate when we spread the word! Shine the light far and wide on scams like these.

What Churches Can Do

Churches and other faith communities can fight back too:

1.) Lock Down Info

Keep directories offline or password-protected—scammers scrape public sites. Furthermore, churches should harden their websites, databases, etc. using smart passwords, two factor authentication, and exercising the principle of least privilege (i.e., only those with a need for access should have it). 

2.) Educate Everyone

Host a quick seminar or email blast—‘We’ll never ask for gift cards!’ Repeat it from the pulpit. Seniors might be an especially vulnerable group. Reach out to local law enforcement or your local District Attorney’s Office. They might be able to offer a free training at your next seniors’ event. 

3.) Verify Requests

Set a rule within the church—any “ask” for money requires personal verification with church leaders and staff.

Wrap-Up

Scams like this stink—they prey on our kindness. But with a little savvy, we can protect our faith communities. I’m learning and now even teaching some of this stuff, and it’s wild how simple tricks keep us safe. Want more? Check out my growing (and free) CompTIA Tech+ certification course and my article ‘The #1 Cybersecurity Risk? It’s You!’ It has extra tips. You can find it here!

Hit subscribe and share this with your church crew. Have you ever seen this scam? Let’s keep the faith strong and the scammers out. See you next time!

References

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2019/07/scammers-impersonate-clergy-get-your-money

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2021/gift-card-scams.html

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2022/gift-card-payment-scams.html

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented in this material. However, Labbe Media, LLC does not assume liability for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies. The content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Viewers are encouraged to verify any information before making decisions or taking actions based on it.