Thought For The Week 21 July 2024

In the last week, members of our congregation have been victims of a phishing scam. Hackers have gained access to their  contact lists and impersonated the victims, emailing friends and family, aiming to trick them into sending money to the scammers.

These faceless people, operating fromanywhere in the world, prey upon the trust and generosity that we extend to one another. They are trying to exploit the very things that bind us together as a community of faith and of love. My heart goes out to the people who have been targeted, and to their friends who, in good faith, have tried to help and been exploited in this way.

There are three things I’d like you to keep at the front of your mind:

1. Be vigilant to this kind of abuse. It would be very out of character for any of us to ask for money over email. Don’t send any money, or buy any vouchers. If you receive an email like this, please contact the sender on the phone to let them know.
2. Do not be ashamed if you have been impersonated, or if you have been misled. You are not the problem here, you have been targeted by a particularly malicious form of abuse.

3. Contact the police. It is very unlikely that they can do anything to help, but informing the  authorities will help the wider community to understand the scale of this problem.

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16

Rory