Fraud Email and Text Alert

A church gift card scam is a common fraud where scammers impersonate a pastor, priest, church staff member, or ministry leader and ask members to buy gift cards on the church's behalf.

How the scam works

You receive an email, text, or social media message that appears to come from your pastor or another church leader.
The message often says the leader is in a meeting, traveling, helping someone in need, or preparing a surprise gift.
The scammer asks you to buy gift cards immediately and then send photos of the cards or provide the card numbers and PINs.
Once the scammer receives the information, the money is stolen.

Common red flags

Urgent requests for secrecy or immediate action.
Requests for payment using gift cards instead of normal church procedures.
Messages coming from a slightly altered email address or an unfamiliar phone number.
The sender claims they cannot talk by phone and wants to continue only by text or email.

Example

A scammer may send:

"Hi, this is Rev. Christine Williams. I'm in a meeting and need you to purchase five $100 Apple gift cards for a special ministry purpose. Reply when completed."

This is a classic impersonation scam. Legitimate church leaders generally do not ask members to purchase gift cards and send the card numbers electronically.

If you received such a message

Do not buy the gift cards.
Contact the church directly using a known phone number or email address.
Report the message to church leadership so they can warn other members.
Block the sender.

If you already purchased the cards

Contact the gift card issuer immediately and request that the funds be frozen or refunded if possible. [consumer.ftc.gov], [ftc.gov]
Keep receipts and any messages from the scammer.
Report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. [ftc.gov]