con artists

[goodearth]

Do other churches have issues with people coming into the church and scamming members (specifically the treasure) out of money? They use the cover of needing help or something of that sort. Then latch on and keep making situations come up requiring more money.

 

[Sophia7]

We've had things like that happen at times. There's always a risk when you help people that some will take advantage of it. Some people do prey on churches. Usually, we don't give people cash.

 

[djconklin]

Oh, yeah. They even come to church claiming to be SDA's. Sent by so-and-so from another church.

Never give out money. Make a list of soup kitchens in your area.

 

[goodearth]

Ok, so how does one educate a church that has an on going problem with being suckered. What exactly does one do when someone comes to the church asking for help etc.

Just to give some back ground a church in my area has had issues and the treasure some how is constantly getting suckered. The treasure has been changed and the new one some how gets involved. I honestly feel there is a safety issue here as said people then invite people over to their homes. DANGEROUS if you ask me.

 

[Sophia7]

What kind of help do they ask for?

 

[goodearth]

What kind of help do they ask for?

It seems money is at the root. The first situation unfolds where a woman got the elderly treasure to some how give/stole money out of the offering on several occasions. Then would take the woman to pick up her social security check, go cash it and take it all. The woman almost starved to death.

Then a couple come to the church a few months later saying they needed gas money. New treasure offered to fill their tank for them. Ok, then it was the motel bill, church offered to pay the bill. Turns out the car was not theirs. Then it was money for court fees $75.00, strange how that is just about what a small bag of speed costs. Then it was middle of the night moving them out of the motel. In the process someone approaches the odd couple and address them by a name the church people do not recognize. Keep in mind these people are in their late 70's and have no business moving peoples stuff at midnight. Some how the woman gets invited to treasure home for lunch and she steals the cash offering and what little cash is in her purse. It just goes on and on and on. Now couple calls all day and I feel the church couples safety is at risk.

 

[Sophia7]

In that case, I think it would be wise to stop giving them money. Has anyone talked to the treasurer about this? Maybe she needs some guidance to help her avoid putting herself in danger.

 

[goodearth]

We have and this person thinks they are supposed to help strangers good or bad. They have quoted bible verses that refer to this. I can't remember exactly what the verses are sorry. I worry that it is going to take their home getting robbed or worse getting hurt or killed to understand the danger they are putting themselves in. Not sure what to do.

 

[Sophia7]

Well, if she refuses to listen to counsel on her safety, I guess there's not much you can do about that. However, perhaps she shouldn't remain in the position of treasurer and have the burden of being responsible for the church's money as well as her own.

 

[djconklin]

There's a mooch list for every city/town. They know where to go and who to ask.