Gift card scams are just one type of phishing scam, in the broad umbrella of Business Email Compromise (BEC), that threat actors continue to use in their bag of tricks. And with the holiday season upon us and the spirit of giving running through people, there will undoubtedly be more of these types of threats. Recently a member of the Woodlawn United Church received a plea for gift card donations from the pastor at the church. The text asked for a favor, but unfortunately, they could not talk because they were in a meeting. The text went on and noted that there were individuals in the hospital that the pastor wanted to provide gift cards for. The scammers often use tactics such as creating a sense of urgency. Often, the scammers will tell you which gift card to buy and then ask you for the gift card number and PIN.
In the heat of the moment, it’s hard to take a step back especially when threat actors are applying pressure, but it is always important to try to take a step back and think about what is being asked. In this instance, would a faith-based leader ask for money in the form of a gift card? Would they reach out over text or ask for personal banking information in such a forum? The answer is usually no. Below are some tips you can use to avoid being scammed.
- Donate to charities you know and trust with a proven track record in dealing with disasters.
- Contribute by check or credit card. Never give or send cash.
- Don’t give out personal financial information — such as Social Security numbers or credit card and bank account numbers and passwords — to anyone who solicits a contribution.
If you have been the target of a scam, please contact us CEN partner: FB-ISAO would like to assess and analyze the potential threats and types of scams that are targeting members of the faith-based community. Write to info@faithbased-isao.org.
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