We have received several notices from congregants that they have received a scam email and/or text message from someone pretending to be the minister, church staff or church members. Please do not share any passwords in response to an email request; instead, forward the request to Beth@UUReston.org.
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.