Many UUA churches have experienced scam email and text campaigns recently. Following are some reminders and suggestions on how to respond to scam emails and texts.

Remember:

  • The minister and staff will NEVER contact congregants for money or help with an emergency situation. 

  • UUCR staff will only email from their work email addresses, which all end with @uureston.org. 

  • Forward any requests for church passwords to Beth@UUReston.org

How to respond to suspicious emails and texts: 

  • DO double-check your emails and texts carefully.

  • DON’T ever respond to an email or text appearing to come from a UUCR minister or staff member asking you for money, gift cards etc.

  • DON'T respond to an email appearing to come from a UUCR minister or staff member that does not come from the domain: @uureston.org.

  • DON’T share any church passwords or information. Forward any requests for passwords or church information to Beth@UUReston.org.

  • REMEMBER - church staff will NEVER ask you for money or gift cards or to send money to their PayPal or other online accounts. NEVER.

  • DON’T reply.

  • DON’T click on any links within the message.

  • DO report it to your email provider as a "phishing email"

  • DO delete the email.

 

How to Report Email & Text Scams:
If you received a scam email or text message, you can report it. The information you give can help fight the scammers.

Step 1. If you got a phishing (scam) email, forward it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org. If you got a phishing text message, forward it to SPAM (7726).

Step 2. Report the phishing attack to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.