Stay Vigilant: Phishing Emails, Impersonation Scams On-the-Rise

Diocesan Office & Clergy Will Never Urgently Solicit Money, Gift Cards, Personal Information Via Email

Recently, we’ve received reports of emails impersonating Bishop Phyllis Spiegel and other clergy, attempting to deceive recipients into purchasing gift cards or providing sensitive information.

Any and all emails from Bishop Spiegel and Bishop’s staff will end in: @episcopal-ut.org

These phishing scams are becoming increasingly common and more sophisticated, so please stay vigilant.

- Look out for these red flags:
  
  Verify the Sender and Domain: Check the sender’s email address carefully. Scammers often use email domains that look legitimate but are slightly off. Always verify the authenticity of the sender and their email domain.
  Unusual Urgency: Scammers frequently create a sense of panic or urgency, asking you to act immediately, often outside regular hours.
  Requests for Sensitive Information: Be cautious of emails requesting payment details, passwords, or other personal data.
  Suspicious Payment Requests: Emails asking for purchases of gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers are almost always fraudulent.

What to Do If You Suspect a Phishing Attempt

Don’t Click or Reply: Avoid clicking on links, downloading attachments, or responding directly.
Verify Before Acting: If an email seems urgent or suspicious, contact the sender directly using a trusted phone number to confirm authenticity.
Report Suspicious Emails: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) collects scam reports via email, phone, or web form:
1-877-382-4357 (9:00 AM – 8:00 PM, ET)

phishing-report@us-cert.gov

File a report to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint

As a reminder, no legitimate request from the diocese or its clergy will ask for sensitive information or personal payments via email. Stay alert, and thank you for helping to protect our community!