Scam Alert: Emails Pretending to be from Rev. Sharon Smith

Dear St. Catherine’s community,

We’ve learned that several parishioners and staff have recently received emails pretending to be from Rev. Sharon Smith (who completed her ministry with St. Catherine’s this past spring). These messages vary in wording, but share a theme: they ask for help or a quick reply.

Please know — these emails are not from Rev. Sharon. They are from scammers posing as her.

Here’s how to stay safe:

• Check the sender’s address carefully. Email from any of our clergy or staff will always come from a @saint-catherines.org address.
  
  
• Do not reply, click links, or open attachments from unfamiliar or suspicious senders.
  
  
• Do not send money, gift cards, or personal information in response to unexpected requests — even if they sound urgent or kind-hearted.
  
  
• If in doubt, phone the parish office instead of replying. We’re happy to confirm any message’s authenticity.
  
  
• Report and block the scammer’s address through your email provider.

Thank you to those who alerted us — you’re helping protect the whole parish.  As Rev. Sarah would say, “If I ever need a favour, you’ll hear it from me directly — and it won’t involve Amazon gift cards!”

With gratitude and care,
Kingsley Genaille, Communication Specialist