Coronavirus: Churches urge residents to be vigilant after scammers attempt to steal collection envelopes

Church services have been cancelled across the province for a number of weeks in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

The United Parish of Christ Church and St John’s Church of Ireland issued advice after a scammer targeted parishioners in Ballyclare.

In a statement on Facebook, a spokesperson for the parish said: “Folks, please be aware that a scammer has been going to parishioner’s houses in Ballyclare saying they were representing St John’s.

“Do not give Freewill Offering envelopes to anyone who comes to your door. If you wish to give to the parish, follow the guidance on the front page of our website www.theunitedparish.org.uk, but don’t give to people who might come to the door pretending to be part of the church.”

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Down and Dromore said: “Please be aware of a current scam that involves the fraudulent doorstep collection of Freewill Offering envelopes.

“If anyone calls to your house asking for weekly church envelopes, please do not give anything to them. Tell them you will check with your minister. Please also make sure to report anything suspicious to the police.

“Older, vulnerable people are particularly susceptible to scams as well as those who are very trusting and easily persuaded to take a risk.

“Please keep an eye on your elderly relatives and gently enquire about the phone calls they have been receiving and any strangers arriving at their door.”

Joymount Presbyterian Church had a similar message for its congregation.

A spokesperson for the Carrickfergus church said: “We have been made aware that a senior member in church has received a letter asking for money and her card details. Also some people have been offering to collect church envelopes.

“Please do not respond to these requests. You can call the manse, church office or your elder if you want to check anything.”

Meanwhile, Catholic parishioners in east Antrim are advised their weekly offering envelopes are not being collected during the Covid-19 crisis.

It follows reports in Belfast of individuals calling with vulnerable people and offering to take their envelopes to the church and also to do their shopping but wanting cash up front.

In a statement, the Diocese of Down and Connor said: “The Diocese of Down and Connor has become aware of a fraudulent scam targeting vulnerable people within parishes.

“These fraudulent scams are criminal and have been reported by the diocese to the PSNI.

“The Diocese of Down and Connor would encourage all people, and particularly families of vulnerable adults, to be vigilant to such criminal activity. All such unsolicited approaches should be reported to the PSNI.

“In line with the government’s ‘Stay at Home’ and social distancing policies, parish envelopes will not be collected at this time.

“Parishioners who choose to use their weekly envelopes as normal, should retain their envelopes and, once government policy allows, the parish will arrange to safely collect them.”

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you.