It has been brought to our attention that various district clergy, including DS Kasper, are being imitated in scam/junk/phishing emails.
Just use extra caution if you see any email that seems unusual, especially if it requires clicking a link that prompts you to re-enter your email and password.
Collen Godfrey from Clarkston UMC put together a guide that recommends the “STOP” approach to email:
Before clicking ANY link or attachment, use the STOP method:
S – Is this email Suspicious?
T – Is it Telling me to click something?
O – Is it Offering something too good to be true?
P – Is it Pushing me to act immediately?
If any answer is “yes,” STOP and verify before proceeding.
Then remember to STOP again:
S – Slow Down – Urgency is a red flag
T – Type the address yourself – Don’t click links
O – Open nothing unexpected – Verify attachments first
P – Prove the sender – Call them using a known number
Important Note: Some links are legitimate and safe to click—such as account verification emails, password resets, or multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes. The key difference: you’re expecting these emails because YOU initiated the action. If you just signed up for a service or requested a password reset, that verification email is legitimate. If you receive an unexpected “verify your account” email for something you didn’t initiate—that’s suspicious. We do sometimes change software services at CUMC, and in doing so invitations to join/create accounts are sent out. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of the invitation, contact me before clicking links.
This applies to emails, text messages, and QR codes. Scammers exploit our good nature and busy schedules.
When in doubt, don’t click. Report as Phishing, Junk or Delete.
(Credit on STOP method to All Things Secured | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxlR1st8QKI)