Why is someone claiming to be my pastor texting me asking me to buy gift cards?
This is almost certainly an impersonation scam, not your actual pastor; real clergy do not ask congregants to buy gift cards by text and read out the codes.
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Explanation
This scam starts when a fraudster finds a church directory, staff page, or social media post naming a pastor, priest, or church leader, then creates a look-alike email address or text number and messages members of the congregation individually. The message usually claims the leader is busy, in a meeting, or traveling, and needs a discreet favor: buying gift cards for a member in need, a hospital visit, or a surprise gift, with a request to send photos of the card codes right away.
The scam relies on the trust congregants place in their spiritual leaders and the social pressure to respond quickly and quietly to a request framed as an act of Christian or communal kindness. Because the request seems to come from a real, known person, victims often skip the verification step they would normally apply to a stranger's request.
Gift cards are used because the codes can be redeemed instantly and remotely, and once shared they cannot be reversed like a bank transfer might be. The same scam is run against members of mosques, synagogues, and temples using the name of an imam, rabbi, or other respected leader.
Common red flags
- Contact comes from a new phone number or email address, not your leader's usual one
- The request is for gift cards specifically, and asks you to send the codes by photo or text
- The message asks you to keep the request confidential or act quickly
- The writing tone or phrasing does not sound like how your leader normally communicates
- The person cannot be reached by calling the phone number you already had for them
What to do now
- Call your pastor, priest, imam, rabbi, or other leader directly using a number you already had, not one from the message
- Do not buy gift cards or share any codes based on a text or email request alone
- Warn other members of your congregation, ideally through an official church announcement
- Report the impersonating account or number to the platform it came from
- If you already sent gift card codes, contact the card issuer immediately, since some codes can sometimes be frozen if reported fast enough
Frequently asked questions
Why do scammers target churches and religious communities specifically?
Faith communities often have strong bonds of trust, a culture of helping each other quietly, and publicly available directories or social media listing leaders and members, all of which make it easier for a scammer to impersonate a trusted figure convincingly.