Don't Fall for Whaling

Whaling is a form of pfishing known as whaling.  It doesn't just affect us!  John Andrews just recieved one of these emails that purports to come from Mother KIm:

"Available now? I would like a quick email if you're free.
In Christ, Mother Kim"

Has it happened to you? You receive an email that appears to be from the Bishop, or your clergy person, asking you to take some kind of action – click a link, download an attachment, wire money to a specified account, purchase gift cards and reply with the serial numbers, or simply to reply quickly.
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Watch out – it could be a form of email “phishing” known as “whaling.”

"Whereas “phishing” involves sending a fraudulent email to a large group of people in the hope that a few will respond, “whaling” involves forging communications that look like they’re from the “big phish” in an organization, i.e. the “whale.” For us, this usually means the Bishop or a clergy person, although it could be someone else in authority.

Because these emails are usually crafted more carefully than your standard “phishing” email, they can be more difficult to detect.

What to do:

• Verify the “from” email - these emails are often really from strange emails, not the one you are familair with
• Confirm requests with a conversation - telephone the person 

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Please know that no clergy person, Mother KIm, your wardens or your Vestry would never make such a request. They will never ask for personal information, money, gift cards or anything else by email or on social media. Ignore any such request and, if possible, report it to your ISP as a fraud/scam.
One email looked like this:

I am not in the position to make a phone call at the moment as i am in a meeting and that is why i am contacting you via email. I will like you to help handle a personal matter. I would need you to help send out couple of gift cards to a family member in school concerning her project.and i will need this handled immediately. Kindly let me know if you are available to run this task right now so i can advise the quantity and domination.  

​Pay attention and stay safe!