EASTON, Pa. – Catholic churches in the Lehigh Valley are alerting people about a scam seeking to deceive parishioners.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish and the Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Easton are warning parishioners about the scams.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish says some people are falsely impersonating Catholic priests in text messages, emails, and social media platforms.
In a Facebook post, the church says scammers are requesting cash or gift cards, claiming they have an urgent need.
If you receive a message—by text, email, or Facebook Messenger—from someone claiming to be Father Rodgers or any of the priests of St. Jane’s Parish, asking for money, gift cards, or immediate financial assistance, the message did not come from one of the church’s priests, according to the Facebook post.
The church says to disregard such messages and to not respond to them.
The church says its priests will never solicit money, gift cards, or emergency assistance through private electronic messages. Such requests are not acts of charity but attempts at fraud, the church said.
“Out of care for the well-being of our parish community, we ask you to remain alert, to protect one another, and to report any suspicious messages to the parish office,” the church said in its Facebook post.
In a Facebook post, Our Lady of Lebanon Church said scammers are contacting parishioners and asking for money.
The church says any official requests will come directly from the Priest or Bishop.