Stay Alert: Phishing Emails Targeting Congregations Across Our Synod
Leaders and members across our synod are reporting a recent increase in phishing emails circulating through congregational address books—often appearing as legitimate messages from trusted contacts within your own church network.
These emails may look convincing. They frequently include messages such as “shared a file with you” or “here’s a document,” sometimes even appearing to come from a real person in your congregation. They may reference platforms like Microsoft 365 and include links labeled “Open” or similar calls to action. In some cases, they claim the link is restricted to direct recipients, adding a false sense of security.
Please do not click on suspicious links or open unexpected attachments, even if the message appears to come from someone you know.
Instead, take these steps:
Pause before clicking. If you were not expecting a document, treat the message with caution.
Verify directly. Contact the sender using a known phone number or email address (not by replying to the message).
Look closely at the details. Check for subtle misspellings, unusual formatting, or email addresses that don’t exactly match the sender.
Report and delete. Mark suspicious emails as phishing or spam in your email system and remove them from your inbox.
These phishing attempts often spread by gaining access to one person’s account and then sending messages to others in their contact list. This is why they can feel especially convincing—they come from within our own trusted networks.
As people of faith, we are called to live in community and trust one another. At the same time, we are also called to be wise stewards of the tools and systems entrusted to us. Practicing digital vigilance is one way we care for our congregations and protect one another from harm.
If you believe your account may have been compromised, please notify your congregation’s leadership or IT support immediately and take steps to secure your account, including changing your password.
Together, we can remain rooted in God’s story—grounded in trust, yet attentive and discerning in a complex digital world.
