Pastor or church-leader gift card text
Church offices have been getting texts that look like they came from a pastor or other leader, asking someone to buy gift cards right away. A real pastor will not ask staff or members to buy gift cards by text.
How it works
Someone texts a church office or a volunteer, pretending to be the pastor. The message often says the pastor is in a meeting and cannot talk, then asks the person to buy gift cards and send the codes. Once the card numbers are shared, the money is usually gone. This is a common gift-card impersonation trick aimed at churches and other workplaces. Always call the person back on a number you already have before you buy anything.
Red flags
- The text says the person cannot talk or take a call.
- It asks you to buy gift cards and send the codes.
- It creates urgency and may ask you to keep the request quiet.
- The number is not the pastor's usual number, even if the name looks right.
What to do
- Do not buy gift cards or share card numbers from a text like this.
- Call the pastor or leader on a number you already have, not a number in the text.
- Tell others in the office so they know the same message may arrive.
- Report the text at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI at ic3.gov. You can also forward it to 7726.
Where to report it
- reportfraud.ftc.gov — the FTC's report form.
- ic3.gov — the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Example message
I'm in a meeting, can't talk. Can you grab some gift cards?