Staying Safe from Smarter Scams

A Message from Senior Pastor Jody Ray 

Scammers are becoming more creative every day. Whether it’s a call, email, or text, the best protection is knowing what to look for. Technology is advancing quickly—and scammers are taking advantage. A growing trend is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to clone voices and impersonate people you know and trust.  

Churches all over the nation have become targets for a wide range of scams – and I am very proud of our staff who are good stewards of sensitive information every single day. We’ve all made changes to how we operate to quickly surface any attempt we happen to receive. Our IT and Finance teams have worked very hard to secure our online network and implement policies and practices to safeguard our church’s information and financial assets.  

 Unfortunately for me, being surrounded by these solid church protocols, training, and my own understanding of technology were not enough of a shield to protect against a new sophisticated AI scam that impacted me personally and my family this past summer.  

After noticing suspicious activity on my bank account, I called my bank directly. Just minutes later, I received what appeared to be a return call, displaying the same legitimate bank number I had just dialed. 

Trusting it as a follow-up from the bank, I spoke with someone who sounded professional and convincing. But it was a scam. The fraudsters had spoofed the bank’s number and intercepted my call, creating a scenario so real that I believed them. 

This experience taught me some very valuable lessons to guard my finances and personal information in everyday life. It has also forced me to stay vigilant in protecting God’s resources here. To that end I would like to share the following tips and procedures, especially as they apply to messages you might receive from Mt. Bethel Church, so you have more confidence in what is real and what to avoid. 

What You Need to Know 

Voice cloning is real. A scammer only needs a few seconds of recorded audio—something most pastors (and many of us) have online—to create a convincing deepfake. 

Caller ID can’t be trusted. Fraudsters often spoof numbers, making them appear as if the call is local or from someone you know. 

Scams are urgent by design. Criminals count on panic, secrecy, and pressure to override clear thinking. 

Protecting Yourself from Threats 

Create a “Safe Word.” 
Have a private passphrase with your family or close contacts. If a suspicious call comes in from a perceived friend or family member, ask for it. 👉 Why You Need a Safe Word 

Always Verify. 
If you get an urgent request or suspect a call is fraudulent, hang up and call back using a trusted number or one that you have verified on their secure website. You could also confirm by text or in person. 👉 How to Spot Voice Cloning Scams 

 Watch for Red Flags. 
Urgency, secrecy, or unusual payment requests (gift cards, cryptocurrency) are red flags. 👉 Rise of AI Voice Cloning Scams 

 Strengthen Passwords. 
Use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and consider a password manager. 👉 Password Best Practices 

Monitor and Protect Online Activity. 
Change passwords after breaches, use two-step authentication, avoid phishing links, and consider monitoring credit. 👉 Seven Ways to Protect Yourself From Cyber Attack 

We want to be absolutely clear: no one from Mt. Bethel Church will ever call you asking for money, gift cards, or banking details. If you ever receive such a request, it’s a scam. And in the case of disaster relief or urgent giving needs, you can always give through our secure giving portal on our church website. 

Final Word 

These scams are designed to exploit trust—which is vital within faith communities. By staying alert, using simple verification steps, and practicing digital wisdom, we can protect ourselves, our families, and our church. 

 And remember: if you ever get a call asking you to send money now—it’s not us.