A Florida pastor says scammers used his name to target church members with fake text messages asking them to buy Macy’s gift cards.
Morgan Flagler, pastor at First Baptist Church of Tavares, told ClickOrlando that dozens of church members received messages last week from someone pretending to be him.
The fake request sounded charitable. Flagler said the messages asked members to buy Macy’s gift cards for women with cancer, with requested amounts including $30, $60, and $100.
Tavares police said at least one person lost money. Officers said gift cards are a common request in scams because they are harder for law enforcement to track once the card numbers are sent.
The Scam Started With Fake Church Staff Emails
Police said the scheme began before the gift card texts went out. The scammers first sent fraudulent emails to church staff, using addresses that mimicked real staff accounts.
Flagler said the emails impersonated different church staff members or people connected to the church. The messages asked for contact information for groups inside the congregation, including choir members.
Those phone numbers were later used in text messages that appeared to come from Flagler. One warning sign came inside the church office, when the church secretary received a text that looked like it came from him while both of them were in the office at the same time.
Church Members Were Asked To Buy Macy’s Gift Cards
The texts told recipients to buy Macy’s gift cards for women with cancer. Flagler said the requests came in smaller amounts, including $30, $60, and $100.
The use of the pastor’s name made the request personal. Church members are used to hearing about prayer needs, donations, ministry support, and community help, and the scammers used that trust to make the messages look familiar.
Police said at least one person sent money before the fraud was stopped.
The Church Warned Members Quickly
After Flagler learned what was happening, he contacted Tavares police. First Baptist Church of Tavares also warned members directly.
Flagler said the church sent robocalls, sent text messages, and announced the scam during services so members would know the gift card request was fake.
The Federal Trade Commission has warned about similar scams involving fake messages from pastors, rabbis, priests, imams, bishops, and other religious leaders. The request often asks for gift cards for a supposedly urgent or charitable reason.
Police Say To Verify Through A Known Number
Tavares police said anyone who receives a call or text asking for money or gift cards should verify the request through a phone number they already know or by contacting the church or organization directly.
A real church leader should not ask members by surprise text to buy gift cards and send the card numbers back. Gift card numbers and PINs can be used quickly, and the money can be difficult to recover once the information is shared.
For First Baptist Church of Tavares, the scam used staff impersonation, church contact lists, the pastor’s name, and a charitable-sounding request. Police said the warning applies beyond one congregation: if a message is urgent, unexpected, and asks for gift cards, stop and verify it before sending anything.