Canadian churches targeted in new scam

UPDATE: A similar scam has now been attempted on staff of LCC’s national office. An unknown person purporting to be our president contacted a staff person by email and directing them to purchase gift cards. The attempt was recognized as a scam and failed.

CANADA – Rev. Tom Kruesel, Vice President of Lutheran Church-Canada, is warning Canadian churches and charities to be on the lookout for a new scam. In the scam, someone posing as the pastor of a local church texts other members of the church asking them to send electronic gift cards.

Rev. Kruesel’s own church, Bethany Lutheran Church (Campbell River, B.C.), was the recent target of the scam. An unknown person texted several members of the congregation’s Church Council pretending to be Rev. Kruesel. The texts addressed Council members by name, and asked them to send electronic gift cards.

“As it was only Council members who were texted, and none of these members have a home phone, I believe the fraudster got the information from the Charitable Return that every church files with the Government of Canada,” explained Rev. Kruesel, noting that this information is easily accessible online.

Thankfully, members of Bethany Lutheran did not fall for the scam, but Rev. Kruesel is warning churches and other charitable organizations to be on their guard. “I’m sure they will hit every church in Canada eventually,” he noted. “Churches and other charitable organizations should warn their leadership teams and members about this kind of fraud.”

“Don’t assume that just because someone knows your name and your pastor’s name that they are who they say they are,” he continued. “If you receive an unusual request—via text or otherwise—from someone claiming to be your pastor or another church leader, contact your church directly to ask about it.”

Readers are encouraged to share this story with churches and other charitable organizations.

If you have been the target or victim of a scam attempt, please contact your local law enforcement. You can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

———————

Print this article