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Please be aware that we have received several reports of renewed “phishing” scam emails being received by staff and parishioners around the diocese. As a reminder, “phishing” is when someone poses as someone else (usually a person in authority, such as a parish incumbent) and attempts to trick the recipient into sending money or purchasing gift cards on their behalf. The latest attempts look like this:

“Do you have a moment I have a request I need you to handle discreetly. I am currently busy in a meeting, no calls so just reply my email.”

These emails will appear to be sent from someone you know, but the email address will be incorrect, so it might look like this:

From: “Tara Saracuse” <bishopoffice@gmail.com>

Please pay close attention to the actual email address in the From field to ensure the email is actually coming from the real person. Note that all clergy of the diocese use email addresses that start with their first initial, followed by their last name, and then @bc.anglican.ca (e.g. tsaracuse@bc.anglican.ca) OR incumbent@ + their parish’s website URL (e.g. incumbent@sjtdcourtenay.ca). If you receive an email from an address that differs from these two options, please question its validity.

Remember also that no member of the clergy or diocesan staff would ever ask for money to be sent electronically or to purchase gift cards on their behalf. DO NOT send money by e-transfer or purchase gift cards if requested by email. If you’re in doubt about the validity of an email, please call the person who sent it to you and confirm.

Please share this information widely and offer education within your parishes to protect our vulnerable people from phishing scams.

Peace,

Tara Saracuse
Executive Assistant, Bishop’s Office
Anglican Diocese of British Columbia