A Florida-based chapter of Catholic Charities is warning supporters that scammers are impersonating the organization.
The Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach, Inc. posted a warning on its Instagram account Friday they it originally issued in April about scammers were impersonating the charity and pretending to offer “free immigration bond assistance” via the messenger platform WhatsApp.
“Catholic Charities does NOT solicit services through random Facebook ads or WhatsApp messages,” they stated. “Requests to ‘chat’ via WhatsApp or provide personal information this way are a major red flag.”
The group implored supporters to avoid sharing personal or financial information, sending monetary payments, or engaging with any unknown WhatsApp numbers.
Catholic Charities also called on anyone who receives such a message on social media to report it “immediately” and block the scammer’s account.
“If you or someone you know may have been contacted or targeted, please spread the word. Protecting our community starts with awareness,” the group continued. “Catholic Charities remains committed to serving those in need — but always through trusted, verified channels.”
The charity said the scam appears to have begun last year, reports the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
“For the past year, people impersonating Catholic Charities Diocese of Palm Beach have been contacting immigrants across South Florida, offering fake legal help and collecting fees and deposits for services that don’t exist,” the group stated, reported the Sun Sentinel.
“The scammers use the organization’s name and reputation to convince vulnerable immigrants, many navigating an unfamiliar and high-stakes legal process, to hand over personal information and payment.”
According to a 2020 report published by Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, as much as $52.6 billion, or approximately 6.5% of all donations by Christians given globally that year, “was lost to fraud and embezzlement.”
Last month, the United Methodist Church New England Conference reported that approximately $1.6 million was stolen in a cyberattack in which individuals impersonated bank representatives.
“We are working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Secret Service, our insurance carrier, and specially assigned legal counsel with expertise in serious cybercrimes. This investigation is active and continuing,” said New England Conference Bishop Thomas Bickerton in a statement.
“Internally, our team is working to immediately review all financial and staff policies and procedures to bring greater awareness of what to watch for and how to prevent any further crimes from taking place.”
