Beware of Scammers
My Dear Parishioners,
It is a sad fact that cybercrimes are common, increasingly sophisticated and very successful. These are crimes committed through our computers and cellphones. The two common types of cybercrimes are imposter scams and phishing scams.
Many cybercrimes start with a “copycat” email address. These copycat criminals pretend to be a real person, institution, company, or even a family member. They create an email address that looks like a legitimate email address.
Then, they use these fake email addresses to commit fraud.
Let us use our parish as an example. Our parish’s real email address is sjc18976@verizon.net. A copycat cybercriminal will create an email address that looks similar, such as scj18976@verizon.net or info.sjc18976@verizon.net or sjc18976@support-verizon.net. Notice the differences?
Then the cybercriminal will email you pretending to be someone from the office. They may ask for help with a fundraiser or ask for gift cards for a needy family. They may also ask for updated personal information. Their goal is to get your money, and if possible, to get your credit card or Social Security information. The first is called an imposter scam. The second is called phishing.
This is all very scary.
Experian helps to further explain imposter scams: Scammers almost always hide their identity, and imposter scams are one of the most common types of scams or fraud because the category is fairly broad. These happen when the scammer pretends to be a friend, relative, celebrity, clergy, politician, businessperson, government agent, delivery person or company representative.
Some types of imposter scams are so prevalent that they have their own name, such as the grandparent scam (which doesn’t actually always involve a grandparent) and romance scams (which sometimes involve platonic rather than romantic relationships).
According to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) 2023 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, about 20% of people targeted by an imposter scam in 2023 lost money, and the median loss was $800. The FTC also reported that government imposter scams in particular led to a massive increase in losses during the first three months of 2024, with median losses of $14,740.
Now that scammers can use AI, it’s more important than ever to be skeptical when someone contacts you, especially if they try to scare you or offer you a gift or investment opportunity.
The Federal Trade Commission defines phishing scams as such:
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
The most important thing to remember is that if something looks suspicious or doesn’t feel right, there’s a good chance it is a scam. Also, don’t be silent if you think that you have been a victim of a cybercrime. Yes, it can be embarrassing, but please don’t be silent. Tell someone. Get help.
Take the time to call. If you get a strange email or text message from your bank or an email from your bank asking you to “update personal information,” call or visit your local bank branch and ask if it came from them before responding to the email or text message. There’s a good chance it wasn’t from them but from a scammer.
Similarly, if you get a strange email from a parish or a priest or a charity asking for money or personal information, call the office of that parish or that charity. Ask if the email was sent by the parish or the priest or the charity before responding to it. It probably wasn’t but came from a scammer.
Also, if you get a strange or threatening email or text message that appears to be from local or state police, the sheriff’s office, or the IRS, call them or visit them. Ask if the email or text message is really from them. It probably wasn’t, either.
This is the same for the utilities and the credit card companies with which you deal. If you get a threatening email from them warning that service or accounts are about to be terminated because of nonpayment, call them and make sure it is from them before doing anything else. It probably is a scam.
And sadly, if you think that you are a victim of a cybercrime, report it. Our local police can help and the Federal Trade Commission has a helpful site: https://www.identitytheft.gov/Info-Lost-or-Stolen.
Some other tips for avoiding being a victim of cybercrime.
- As always, it is good to keep your computers and cellphones updated with the latest updates. Most of these updates have updated security features in them that offer at least some protection from
- It is also helpful to set the highest and strictest filters on email Yes, a few good emails might get “filtered out,” but the vast majority will be junk and scam emails.
- It is good to periodically change passwords and to never, ever, for any reason, share these passwords with anyone else, especially through an email. Remember, the person asking for the password is most likely an imposter!
On a happier note, we had a very nice pastoral visit by Bishop Christopher Cooke. He really enjoyed himself and loved the spirit of the parish. But then again, what isn’t there to love about our parish?
This week, our first reading from the Book of Samuel reminds us that Original Sin pre-disposes us to “nail our enemies to the ground.” Jesus, however, allowed Himself to be nailed to the Cross instead of nailing us, born into Original Sin, to the ground. Jesus then asks us to do what He did for us: to love our enemies and to do good to them. The best thing we can do for them is to seek reconciliation and forgiveness and to help them come into relationship with Jesus. Then our hearts will always be open for the gifts of Heaven, a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, that will be poured into our laps.
St. Joseph, Patron of the Church, and our Patron, pray for us!
Fr. Michael J Pawelko, Pastor.