September 2019
Worshipers of all faiths are being targeted by imposters. The FTC recently published information on the issue - including how to report the scammers: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/07/worshipers-targeted-gift-card-scam
Worshipers of all faiths are being targeted by imposters. The FTC recently published information on the issue - including how to report the scammers: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/07/worshipers-targeted-gift-card-scam
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Example of message from impersonator:
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Sunday, July 14, 2019
Father Tom* is NOT asking for money or gift cards via text message or email. Please do not send money or personal information to an unverified entity. *Good Shepherd priests, deacons and staff will NEVER ask for gift cards or money via text message or personal email. New email and text message phishing scam targets Father Tom. Parishioners and staff have reported receiving emails and text messages that seem to be from Father Tom - those who reply are eventually asked to purchase gift cards. These messages are NOT legitimate. Feel free to delete, mark as spam, or block them (or report them if that option exists). As a reminder, any email coming from Good Shepherd or the Diocese, including from Father Tom, would use the @arlingtondiocese.org domain or the @gs-cc.org domain. Verifying the sender of an email is a good practice, especially when an email seems suspicious or the content seems atypical of the sender. For more information on online security, spams, and phishing, click here. For tips on how to avoid being a victim of fraud, click here. |
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Thursday, November 8, 2018
New email and text message phishing scam targets Father Tom. Parishioners and staff have reported receiving emails and text messages that seem to be from Father Tom - those who reply are eventually asked to purchase gift cards. These messages are NOT legitimate. Feel free to delete, mark as spam, or block them (or report them if that option exists). As a reminder, any email coming from Good Shepherd or the Diocese, including from Father Tom, would use the @arlingtondiocese.org domain or the @gs-cc.org domain. Verifying the sender of an email is a good practice, especially when an email seems suspicious or the content seems atypical of the sender. For more information on online security, spams, and phishing, click here. For tips on how to avoid being a victim of fraud, click here. |
Email Scam Alert 8-6-2018
New email phishing scam targets Bishop Burbidge.
Parishioners and members of the Arlington Diocese have reported receiving emails that seem to be from Bishop Burbidge - those who reply are eventually asked to purchase gift cards.
These emails are NOT legitimate. Feel free to delete or mark as spam (or report them to your email provider if that option exists).
As a reminder, any email coming from the Diocese, including from Bishop Burbidge, would use the @arlingtondiocese.org domain. Verifying the sender of an email is a good practice, especially when an email seems suspicious or the content seems atypical of the sender.
For more information on online security, spams, and phishing, click here.
For tips on how to avoid being a victim of fraud, click here.
Parishioners and members of the Arlington Diocese have reported receiving emails that seem to be from Bishop Burbidge - those who reply are eventually asked to purchase gift cards.
These emails are NOT legitimate. Feel free to delete or mark as spam (or report them to your email provider if that option exists).
As a reminder, any email coming from the Diocese, including from Bishop Burbidge, would use the @arlingtondiocese.org domain. Verifying the sender of an email is a good practice, especially when an email seems suspicious or the content seems atypical of the sender.
For more information on online security, spams, and phishing, click here.
For tips on how to avoid being a victim of fraud, click here.
Email Scam Alert 6-26-2018
It has come to our attention that a scammer is again sending emails impersonating Father Tom.
Be assured Father Tom is fine, and not in need of emergency help (or gift cards, money, etc.).
Any email that has a suspicious address should be ignored.
If you receive a suspicious email:
It is also a good idea to change the password on your email account.
We have reported these incidents to Fairfax County Police and are working with them.
If you'd like more information on online security, spams, and phishing, click here.
For tips on how to avoid being a victim of fraud, click here.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to call the parish office, 703-780-4055, or email us at office@gs-cc.org.
Thank you for your concern and prayers. May God bless you in your compassion and generosity.
Be assured Father Tom is fine, and not in need of emergency help (or gift cards, money, etc.).
Any email that has a suspicious address should be ignored.
- Official emails from Good Shepherd parish and the Diocese of Arlington will end with our domain name, gs-cc.org, or arlingtondiocese.org.
- If the email address ends in Yahoo, or Gmail, or Hotmail (or any other provider) then it is not an official email from Father Tom or Good Shepherd.
- Fraudulent emails often include grammar and spelling errors, and awkward wording.
If you receive a suspicious email:
- Do not reply to the email.
- Report it as spam to your email provider (there is usually an option after you select the email; for instance in gmail, the option is identified by a symbol with an exclamation point in a stop sign).
- Do not send money, gift cards, or personal information to an un-verified entity.
- Forward the email to office@gs-cc.org
It is also a good idea to change the password on your email account.
We have reported these incidents to Fairfax County Police and are working with them.
If you'd like more information on online security, spams, and phishing, click here.
For tips on how to avoid being a victim of fraud, click here.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to call the parish office, 703-780-4055, or email us at office@gs-cc.org.
Thank you for your concern and prayers. May God bless you in your compassion and generosity.