So on top of everything else going on in the world, there’s a scam making the rounds at shuls across the country. Someone is spoofing congregational leaders and rabbis and sending out emails purporting a need for assistance, and invariably this leads to a request to purchase gift cards or something like it, and then to provide code information necessary to redeem the cards.

In this fashion there have been reports from congregations that several people have followed those instructions and their charitable intent has led to theft of services.

It’s unconscionable and harmful to the congregations. These people are preying on the goodwill and good intentions of congregants who want to do right and help their communities and someone is using that to steal hundreds and thousands of dollars in the process.