The Portland Diocese wants everyone to know that email scams are becoming much more prevalent, with parish staff and parishioners being targeted in attempts to extract money, steal passwords, or steal personal information and records..
Often, scammers will disguise their email messages to appear as if they came from someone you know and trust, such as a pastor or administrator.
Typically the following clues can tip you off:
- Messages have an urgent tone and attempt to get you to reply.
- They may also tell you "don't tell anyone else" or "don't call me to discuss, i'm busy".
- They may try to get you to click a link in the message, or open an attachment within the message which will then attempt to take your information, passwords, or infect your computer with a virus.
- They may try to get you to email confidential information to them.
If you receive an unexpected message that appears to be from someone you know, treat it with suspicion. Delete the message, or if you think it may possibly be real call the parish office to verify.%