Scam callers preying on churches’ compassion

Posted: 2/21/08

Scam callers preying on churches’ compassion

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO—Scam artists are preying on churches’ generosity to extort money from them by describing tense situations in which purported members of the congregations need funds.

Neil Bennett, pastor of Churchill Baptist Church in San Antonio, received a phone call just before a recent Sunday morning service from a man who identified himself as a deputy sheriff in rural West Virginia. The man indicated he was with an African-American family who needed money to repair their car.

Another man then got on the phone and identified himself with a common name. He told Bennett he had been to Churchill Baptist Church twice, but his wife—who also had a common name—regularly attends the church.

The man said that he and his wife were returning home from a funeral when their car broke down. He indicated he had $600 to pay for the towing and repairs, but needed an additional $140 to pay the bill.

The man also said he was being mistreated in the town. He was roughed up and people hurled racial insults at him.

“I was totally convinced as I talked to this guy,” Bennett said.

The person who identified himself as a deputy sheriff corroborated the story, indicating the town was run by the Klu Klux Klan. He told Bennett he simply wanted to get the man and woman out of the county, but their repair bill needed to be settled.

Bennett worked out a way to wire $140 to a number the deputy sheriff provided. The pastor asked the husband to call him once he and his wife were out of the state. The man never called Bennett.

A member of the church looked into the matter more deeply later, calling West Virginia law officials. They indicated at least six other churches had fallen for a similar story.

The scam artists appear to be surfing church websites looking for congregations likely to have some African-American members and large enough so pastors may not know every member.

Bennett said he think the criminals purposely called on Sunday morning, when staff members are most rushed.

“It’s pretty convincing to me. If it hadn’t been a Sunday and right before church, I might have asked more questions and found the fraudulent nature,” he said.