FAKE +BISHOP LOU TYLKA ACCOUNT
There is a Facebook account posing as Bishop Lou’s personal page. For example, there is one labeled as Bishop Lou TyIka (with a capital “i" instead of an L in his last name).
The diocese has contacted Facebook several times in hoping to get the fake one(s) removed. In the meantime, please know that any and all messages received from these accounts should be ignored and reported. Bishop Lou would never reach out through Facebook, Messenger, any other social media, by email or text to ask for personal information or money. Again, report phishing scams as you are able. Never respond to these types of inquiries. Then block and delete. More information from the diocese is at the end of this email.
FAKE EMAILS / TEXTS FROM FR. J.E.S.
This is one of the reasons Fr. J.E.S. is listed on the front of our bulletin. As our bulletin is uploaded each week onto the internet, it is available for everyone to view. This is wonderful for our parishioners, and also easy picking for scammers. No priest will ever text or email you requesting gift cards for a needy family, friend in the hospital, or other urgent need. If Fr. JES (or by any other name) sends you a text or email requesting personal information, gift cards, or anything else, report the scam, then delete or block the text or email as you are able. If you think a text or email really might be legitimate, call me (Jennifer) in the Church Office at (309)694-2061 or on my personal cell. My cell is listed in the little Guild Directory which is not online.
RECENT EMAILS FROM ALLEN HAHN
The email account for Al & Eileen was recently hacked and emails were sent out asking if you have an Amazon account. It was signed Allen and Eileen. Al & Eileen request that you report the email and delete it. Here are pictures of what I received at my personal email address:
When I clicked on the little down arrow next to the words "to me" it shows that the email did come from the actual email of Al & Eileen, aceehahn@comcast.net. Unfortunately, this is what a hacked account can look like. But notice that they didn't use my name and they didn't sign the email like they normally would. In addition, it's just a strange question to ask in an email. (I blacked out my personal email in the image below.)
Recommendations from the diocese:
Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams
Cybersecurity threats, including phishing attempts, are on the rise, and staying vigilant is key to keeping our church, school and personal information safe. Phishing is when cybercriminals use fraudulent emails, websites, or messages to trick you into providing sensitive information like passwords, financial data, or personal details.
Red Flags of Phishing Emails:
Suspicious Senders: Emails from unknown or unusual email addresses.
Example: A message that seems to be from "Fr. Smith" but comes from "john.smith987@randommail.com" instead of their actual work email address.
Urgent or Threatening Language: Messages pressuring you to act quickly.
Generic Greetings: Look out for "Dear Friend" instead of personalized greetings.
Unusual Requests: Asking for sensitive information like passwords or account details.
Misspellings and Poor Grammar: Legitimate organizations usually proofread their communications.
Unverified Links: Hover over links without clicking to see the actual URL. Unverified URL’s would be things like example.asdasdf.com
Watch Out for Impersonation Attempts:
Phishers often pose as coworkers (or fellow parishioners), using email addresses or phone numbers that look similar to legitimate ones.
Example: You receive a text message from a number claiming to be your pastor or manager, asking you to purchase gift cards and send the codes urgently.
Always verify the sender by contacting them through a known, official channel.
How to Protect Yourself:
Verify Requests: If you're unsure about an email or text, contact the sender directly using known contact information.
Avoid Clicking Links: Type URLs into your browser instead of clicking links in emails or texts.
Don’t Open/Download Attachments: Especially from unknown senders.
Use Strong Passwords: Regularly update and use unique passwords for different accounts.
Report Suspicious Emails: Report phishing emails, block the sender, and delete the email from your inbox.