Scammed using church documents

[wrosenau]

I couldn't find where to report this, maybe someone on here can help. A member named [name removed] requesting immediate help late at night. sadly I went ahead and helped. Person proved they were a member by providing information below. He also knew detailed information about another member, that to my belief only a friend would know. This person became friends online with a member and then contacted me via that friend and I couldn't verify. Does the church have a department for someone using church records fraudulently.

His phone number was [phone number removed]

I honestly hate not being to trust anyone anymore.

[image of membership record removed]

[jdlessley]

[moderator note: Do not post private or confidential information. The forum is open to the public and viewable by anyone worldwide.]

Other than bringing this to the attention of the bishop and possibly the stake president as well as calling the Global Services Department (GSD) for their recommendation I do not have a Church headquarters point of contact to report this.

Because the image was of a membership record printed on 30 July 2023 there is more going on here than just someone claiming to be a member. How they got the membership record is an issue that needs to be investigated. When a membership record is printed by the bishop or clerk with membership edit permissions (ward clerk, assistant ward clerk, and assistant ward clerk - membership) the following caution message is displayed:

Are you printing this for a Bishop or Clerk?
Official Church membership records should not be shown or given to members, nor may they be copied for members. Under no circumstances may membership records be given to anyone other than the bishop or a clerk.
Members are encouraged to have copies of the Individual Ordinance Summary for themselves and for any dependent children living at home. (See General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 33.6).
If you choose "No," the Individual Ordinance Summary will print instead.

[russellhltn]

A bishop should have some contact information for welfare fraud. If not, he should ask the stake president.

Otherwise, the only suggestion I have is to call the church main switchboard number (801-240-1000) and ask if there's a fraud department.

I agree there's an issue on how this person got a membership record instead of an IOS.

[lajackson]

I couldn't find where to report this, maybe someone on here can help.

The bishop will be able to report this. If you are the bishop, call the GSD and tell them you wish to report this problem. They will connect you to the proper department.

[BrianEdwards]

If your Bishop hasn't already, I'd also strongly suggest he share this information with other local Bishops (in addition to contacting the Church). There are many times someone will church-hop using the same fraudulent approach with various Bishops, and spreading the word around is a good way to help those with "boots on the ground" identify if this recurs elsewhere.

[sbradshaw]

Do you have any indication whether the person who contacted you was who he said he was – vs. a random bad actor who got another person's information? How did you determine that it was fraudulent?

[wrosenau]

I was told by local leadership in his hear these records have been flagged, so i guess it is already in the works. thanks again.

[adkinsjm]

A bishop while contact their stake president, right?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but if you’re not the bishop, any aid you provided wouldn’t have been provided by the church, unless directed to do so. Bishops would not direct a member to provide financial assistance.