topic Re: Scam Advice in Community Chat

Scam Advice

beach-mom — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 05:08:20 GMT

Someone in our congregation gave a young mother my personal phone number, which is not supposed to happen.

Mid morning I got a call from the person who got my number, saying she had no food or baby formula, diapers, etc. Wanting to help, I told her we would try to help with some food, but we are not a food pantry. We do work with a few, and we collect food for them, so we have some food on hand.

I told her I would meet her at the church and help her get some things, then help her get to a pantry where they have baby products. She said she lived an hour away and doesn't have a car. She had just returned home from the doctor's office and her two youngest children are sick. She didn't know what to do, and no one could help her.

I told her I would research churches in her area and call her back. THEN she asked if I could electronically send some gift cards for Target and Walmart since she could walk to those.

As much as I didn't want to believe it, I realized things didn't seem right. When a man answered, saying she wasn't in but he would give her the message, I was pretty sure.

I blocked the number, but DD said they might have been able to get more information. The only information I gave her was my first name.

I don't think it's easy to trace cell phone numbers, but do you think I need to take any more action after blocking the number? TIA!

Re: Scam Advice

Bella8888 — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 05:19:46 GMT

@beach-mom

The first thing I would do is to warn the rest of your congregation that this happened. They could be targets also. Then talk with the person who gave the scammer your number; how are they involved? Did they get duped?

Then I'd keep an eye on your financial accounts, etc., perhaps inform your bank.

Beyond that, perhaps others have suggestions. Contact Police?

Re: Scam Advice

beach-mom — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 05:30:37 GMT

Thanks for the advice @Bella8888. The person who gave my number is just another congregation member, who I'm pretty sure didn't realize what she was doing! She received a DM on Facebook, which I don't have.

We will make sure no personal numbers are given out without that person's permission.

Re: Scam Advice

Bella8888 — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 05:40:23 GMT

Good luck @beach-mom.

PSA: Whenever someone asks me for someone else's contact info, I ask them for their info and pass it on so that person can make their own decision to respond or not.

Re: Scam Advice

Tori3569 — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 05:44:18 GMT

I think you're ok @beach-mom . As far as I can see you avoided a potential scam by not sending the gift cards. You caught on pretty quickly. Blocking the number was the best thing you could have done too.

There's really nothing much that can be ascertained by your cell and first name. Trying to reverse lookup a cell number isn't very easy to do. You can try it yourself. I've tried it on mine and just get the city where my phone was purchased.

Best of luck with this.

Re: Scam Advice

FancyPhillyshopper — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 05:43:08 GMT

How are you sure this is a scam?

What is your role in providing food and other supports for impoverished people?

How many people in your congregation have your number?

Have you helped other people who have personally contacted you?

Did you know who this "young mother" was?

Just because this woman asked for the gift cards does not mean she is scamming you--rather, she is looking for an easy handout. Perhaps she wants to buy food and/or toys and/or medicine for her children in those stores.

I know many people are desperate, but others are lazy, and even others, greedy.

I wanted to give gifts for the USPS Letters to Santa a while back, and when I investigated, I discovered that USPS does NOT monitor who writes a letter (rich or poor), and people were asking for $1300.00 I-Phones as gifts. Forget that--I give to the Salvation Army instead, as they take a personal approach to who they help.

I think that in the future you need to remove yourself from direct response to giving if you do not want to be constantly and personally bothered.

if all she has is your name and phone number, there is not really much she can do to you. Perhaps you just should not answer the phone unless you recognize the number--true for landlines or cell phones.

There was no crime committed, so no need for police.

If you know who gave her your number, you should advise that person that you do not respond or assist on a personal basis--everything has to go through the "congregation." And then set up a congregation phone number for that purpose if you are going to continue to help people, because obviously the word is out that you take on that role.

Re: Scam Advice

Janey2 — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 07:21:39 GMT

I do not understand...do you know for a fact that the person in your congregation gave your phone number to this young mother? If you are not sure go and ask. Ask this congregation member if she knows this mother who says she needs help. She should be able to help you figure out if it is a scam or not. Maybe you both got scammed.

Re: Scam Advice

elated — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 07:45:03 GMT

@beach-mom First, the member of your congregation that gave out your personal phone number was wrong. She or he should have asked beforehand. In today's environment, you just never know about a person's character.

The other red flag for scams is asking for gift cards. Somehow or someway this young mother thought you were a good target because of your affiliation. I would put an alert on your bank accounts and credit cards.

I would just be cautious in the near future. I wonder if that young mother will reappear in your congregation, if she does I would speak with her. I would bet you never see her again but time will tell. Take care.

Re: Scam Advice

Ainhisg — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 11:15:42 GMT

@beach-mom you're fine. All the woman/man had was your cell phone number, and you blocked him/her, so no worries. If you know the congregant well, you might caution him/her about answering DM's on FB from people he/she doesn't know or doesn't know well.

Re: Scam Advice

Cats3000 — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 13:20:27 GMT

@FancyPhillyshopper In today's world, you assume it is a scam. If you don't recognize the name or phone number, you don't answer the call. If you do recognize the name or phone number, but the call starts down the road as this one did, you end the call; hang up and don't get into discussions. You have to protect yourself and your family. You are not a charity and you can't become a charity, the consequences are too negative.

Re: Scam Advice

Still Raining — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 14:41:53 GMT

Sounds like a scam to me and I would warn the member who was first contacted to let them know too.

Perhaps a warning to the congregation is in order? But no names.

Re: Scam Advice

Wsmom — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 16:50:41 GMT

@beach-mom , I absolutely agree it was a scam. Good catch.

I have a question though. Was this young mom who needed help in your congregation also and was given your number or some random "young mom" who randomly contacted the gal on FB and she gave this random stranger your phone number?

Re: Scam Advice

Kachina624 — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 16:52:58 GMT

@beach-mom. Pleas such as the one you describe are all over the NextDoor app. It just boggles my mind the number of people that expect free goods from strangers, including free vehicles. Yesterday a woman wanted someone to drive an hour to her house to pick her up to take her dog to the vet. Another had an extensive list of favorite junk snack food she wanted someone to deliver to her gratis.

No shortage of nerve out there.

Re: Scam Advice

JudyL — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 21:21:26 GMT

@Kachina624 - I saw one the other day where someone was asking if anyone had a spare set of 4 used tires that he could have because his tires were shot and he couldn't afford new ones right now and had to drive 1 hour to work each way.

Re: Scam Advice

Kachina624 — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 21:54:05 GMT

@JudyL. I've seen that too, as well as every type of household furnishing and kitch appliance.

Re: Scam Advice

beach-mom — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 23:26:45 GMT

Thanks for all of your comments everyone!

First, we are NOT a food pantry. We do collect nonperishable food items to give to two sister churches, one that does have a busy food pantry. When the government shutdown happened we put two large bins outside for people to leave donated food items. If anyone takes some food from those bins we are OK. Why would someone take something unless they need it?

The person who gave my personal number is an active member of our church. She should have known better, and I will talk to her tomorrow.

I had never heard of the woman who called me. She lives over an hour away. She is a single mom with 3 young children and was panicking. She said she had no food, no formula, and no diapers. Apparently no one could help her.

She got my number when she DM'ed our congregant on her Facebook page. I don't know how she found our member. I imagine our member had posted saying we are collecting food. I don't have personal social media.

I asked the woman if she had any food pantries or churches near her. She said she didn't know, but not within walking distance. I could hear a baby crying. She wanted me to send Target or Walmart gift cards electronically. That's when I started questioning.

Then when a man picked up her phone, saying she wasn't there but he would give her the message, I decided something didn't seem right. Why couldn't he help somehow?

I blocked her number. Others have told me I should be OK, just don't open any suspicious links on my phone.

I don't plan to change my number or do anything else.

Re: Scam Advice

We rescue cats — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 04:05:48 GMT

I feel sad that in today's world one must be on guard when their heart wants to help.There was a time that we invited a family being housed at our women's help center to dinner at our home on holidays. It added as much to our holiday as we hope it did theirs. About 10 years ago we had to stop doing it for safety sake, I miss it, but now I donate dollars to the shelter to help pay for a holiday at the center. Today's world is so different.

Re: Scam Advice

Etoile308 — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 04:40:45 GMT

Unfortunately the time we live in has created a new breed of scammers. They depends on either an individual's vulnerability or their desire to show kindness and help their fellow man.

Once they identity someone who will offer and show kindness, they'll build on that and ask more and more.

Never believe the story a stranger tells you. They take your trust and use it for their benefit.

It's understandable for the first reaction to be to try and help. In these cases the best help to offer is to direct them to an agency that has some ability to vet those requesting assistance.

Anyone requesting gift cards screams Scam.

Re: Scam Advice

RescueLover — Sun, 23 Nov 2025 14:36:11 GMT

@beach-mom 🤗

I’d definitely report this to your local authorities.

People inform the police when this type of scam happens. You wouldn’t want other members of your community taken advantage of.

Not everyone catches on like you did.

It’s one of those …do the right thing to help protect others.

If you see or hear something…. Say something.

Re: Scam Advice

manny2 — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:29:57 GMT

You’re safe , this was just a common scam. They were trying to pressure you into sending gift cards, which are untraceable and easy for scammers to cash out. Since you didn’t share personal details or send anything, there’s no danger. Blocking the number was the right move.