Dear Parish Community,
We’ve been made aware of a fraudulent scheme targeting members of our congregation. Scammers are impersonating church staff via email and asking parishioners to purchase gift cards on their behalf.
Please be advised: No member of our clergy or staff will ever request gift cards or financial favors via email, text, or phone.
What to Watch For:
- Messages claiming to be from a priest, deacon, or church employee
- Requests for urgent help purchasing gift cards (e.g., for a sick parishioner, Christmas, or charitable cause)
- Unusual email addresses or phone numbers that don’t match official church contacts
What You Should Do:
- Do not respond to these messages
- Do not purchase any gift cards
- Report the scam to the church office immediately
- If you’ve already sent money or gift cards, contact your bank or card issuer
We are working diligently to protect our community and appreciate your vigilance. If you ever receive a suspicious message, always call the parish office directly to verify its authenticity.
Let’s continue to care for one another, safely and wisely.
Blessings,
St. Mark and St. Luke Staff