Image of one Scamming Email below.
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Scam Warning Information
1. “Are You Available?” Gift Card Scam
This is a social-engineering scam where the scammer starts with a simple
message like:
“Are you available?”
“Are you free right now?”
“Can you help me with something?”
The goal is just to get you to reply. The Safest response is no resopnse.
If you respond, the scammer pretends to be someone you might trust (a boss, pastor, coworker, or friend).Then they ask you to buy gift cards or send money, promising
reimbursement.
Typical progression:
1. Text: “Are you available?”
2. You respond: “Yes.” (example only -- do not respond with "yes")
3. They claim to be your boss/pastor/relative.
4. They say they need help urgently (often buying gift cards).
5. They ask you to send photos of the gift card codes.
Once those codes are sent, the money is gone.
2. “Wrong Number” / Pig-Butchering Setup
Another very common version is the “wrong number” scam:
“Hi, are you available?”
“Is this John?”
“Sorry, I must have the wrong number…”
If you respond, the scammer tries to start a friendly conversation and build
trust. Later they steer you toward fake investments, crypto schemes, or
other financial traps—a tactic sometimes called “pig-butchering.”
Why scammers send such vague texts
The simple message is deliberate. It helps them:
Verify your number is active
Identify people who reply to unknown messages
Begin a conversation without triggering spam filters
Just replying confirms your number is valuable for future scams.
✅ Best practice:
Don’t reply.
Block the number.
Report the message as spam (in the U.S., you can forward it to
7726).
How the Pastor Impersonation Scam Works
1. The Scammer Collects Church Information
They usually start by visiting the church website or social media pages. They
gather:
The pastor’s name
Names of staff or leaders
Sometimes phone numbers or emails
Church branding or logos
Many churches unknowingly publish everything needed for the scam.
2. They Text Church Members or Staff
The scammer sends messages like:
“Hi, this is Pastor ___, are you available?”
or
“Hello, do you have a moment? I’m in a meeting and can’t talk.”
They often use a new number and explain it away:
“This is my temporary number.”
3. They Create Urgency
Once someone responds, the scammer quickly moves to a request:
Examples:
“I need help purchasing gift cards for a staff appreciation.”
“We’re helping a family in need and I need you to buy cards.”
“I’m tied up in meetings and can’t leave.”
They specifically request:
Apple gift cards
Google Play cards
Target/Walmart cards
These are easy to convert to cash.
4. They Ask for Photos of the Codes
They instruct the victim to:
1. Buy the cards.
2. Scratch off the back.
3. Text photos of the codes.
Once that happens, the money is instantly gone.
The scammer disappears.
Why Churches Are Especially Vulnerable
Scammers exploit several realities:
People trust messages from their pastor
Members want to serve quickly
Churches often have public leadership directories
Volunteers may not verify unusual requests
This scam has hit:
Methodist churches
Baptist churches
Catholic parishes
Non-denominational congregations
Some churches have lost $5,000–$20,000 in a single incident.
The Simple Policy That Stops This Scam
Many churches now adopt a one-sentence rule:
“Pastors and church staff will never ask for money or gift cards by text.”
If someone receives a message like that, they should call the pastor
directly using the real number they already have.
A Warning Sign Many People Miss
One of the biggest giveaways is this line:
“I’m in a meeting and can’t talk right now.”
Scammers say this because they don’t want you to call and verify.
NO CHURCH STAFF WILL EVER TEXT YOU AND ASK FOR
MONEY OR VAGUE INFORMATION. IF TEXTS ARE USED,
THEY WILL BE SPECIFIC. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUSPICION AT
ALL, CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE.