In recent months there have been increasing numbers of email scams, spoofed emails, and phishing attempts utilizing email addresses that appear to be similar to those of synod or church staff. These typically ask the recipient to either reply to the email or send some sort of aid (gift cards, etc…) to the person asking. My email has been spoofed at least twice in 2020 and I have had well meaning and caring people text or call me asking if they can be of assistance. For that care and concern I am grateful. Unfortunately there is little way to prevent such abuses of our technology and so it is important we educate ourselves about how to avoid being taken in by these scams. The attached flyer (scroll down this page) was prepared by the Southeastern Iowa Synod, and it has good information about how to avoid falling for these scams.