Some parishioners have contacted us to report a scam text from Fr. Bill today with a 206 Area Code. Please be aware of this and do not send any information to the scammers.
From the Archdiocese:
Have you received text messages, emails, or messages through Facebook messenger from someone claiming to be your pastor and asking for money or gift cards, indicating it’s an emergency? Don’t give. It’s not your pastor. It’s a scam.
Many parishioners have been targeted by these fraudsters.
Don’t fall for it! Here’s what to know and do:
- First, your pastor or associate pastor will never contact a parishioner directly with an emergency request for cash or gift cards. Messages asking parishioners to help fulfill a need would come through the parish’s or the diocese’s official communication channels or be accomplished through a collection approved by the diocese. If you’re not sure about a text or email you’ve received, do not engage or respond and call your parish office right away to notify a staff member. In addition, please note that neither your parish nor the diocese will ever sell or give away parishioners’ personal information.
- Often times with text messages, a scam can be identified by looking at the phone number. If the area code is not local, it’s likely a scam.
- If you are contacted by a scammer, report it to your parish. If you can, capture screen shots of the correspondence on your phone or laptop and email those to the parish or the diocese. A member of the parish or diocesan staff can then notify the pastor/associate pastor.
Thank you,
St. Margaret Mary Parish Office