SCAM ALERT
10/16/2025
We've had some reports of these emails again... It seems to be a seasonal thing...
Unusual Email or Text? If you receive an email or a text that appears to be from the clergy of St. John's, especially the Rev. Kevin Laskowski or Deacon Steve Busch (or, sometimes, our predecessors), asking you to take some kind of unusual action: click a link or download an attachment you didn’t request, wire money to a specified account, purchase gift cards and reply with the serial numbers, or simply to reply quickly without asking questions, please exercise caution as it is probably fraudulent.
The Scam. These are common scams that trade on trust in clergy. In one version, they'll ask if you're busy, and then, after receiving a reply, ask for money, gift cards, or some other favor. These emails (and texts) may look official and even contain a signature, the church address, and a Bible quote, but they all end the same way. They'll ask for a request or favor, usually gift cards or money, saying that the sender can't be reached for some reason. Please report these emails (or texts) as spam and delete.
The Truth. No staff or vestry member at St. John's will ever solicit you in this way. Look carefully at the actual email address used, and not only the name that comes up in your inbox. St. John's staff communicate using our stjohnscentreville email addresses and through our ConstantContact list. No staff or vestry member at St. John's will send you a text or email and claim they can't speak on the phone about it, or ask you to purchase gift cards or other items or send money anywhere in this way.
What to Do. If you receive an email or text like this, an email from a different address than usual (again, always check the actual address of the sender), an unsolicited attachment or strange link, or a text or email that just doesn't seem right for any reason, do not reply. Please report these emails (or texts) as spam and delete. You can always call the church office at 703-803-7500 to confirm and ask questions.
Please be careful out there. If you see this kind of email or text, or if you think you might have been a victim of such a scam, please contact the church office.
