Staying Safe Online: What You Need to Know About Scam E-mails
By: Leticia Silva, Communication Specialist at MNYS
Have you ever opened your inbox and found an e-mail saying: “I have a piano to donate,” “Bishop would like to schedule a meeting with you,” or even “Can you purchase 10 gift cards for me?” These are just a few examples of the messages our members have been receiving.
For some, spotting a scam is easy. For others, it can be very difficult, especially because these messages often look legitimate. With the rise of artificial intelligence, scammers are getting more sophisticated: they can copy someone’s style of writing, tone of voice, or even make it seem like the message is coming from someone you know and trust.
Below are some important points to help you understand why these scams happen, and how you can protect yourself.
Why we do not share e-mail directories
Sometimes people ask why we cannot provide a complete list of leaders’ e-mails. The main reason is security. Public lists make it much easier for scammers to target people. By protecting our directory, we are also protecting our community.
Still, you may occasionally receive e-mails that mention MNYS or look related to church work. That is because scammers do not need our directory—they use information from the internet: social media, online searches, or even your location, to create messages that feel personal and convincing.
How to recognize a scam e-mail
- Check the sender. All MNYS communications come from an e-mail ending in @mnys.org. If you are uncertain, you can confirm addresses in our official directory HERE.
- Pay attention to details. Official MNYS e-mails always include our logo and staff signatures. Scam e-mails often have poor spelling, odd formatting, or strange visuals.
- Be cautious with your e-mail accounts. It helps to have one e-mail address only for important matters (such as banking, church communication, and newsletters you trust), and a separate one for things like online stores, subscriptions, and promotional sign-ups.
- Don’t click on links you are unsure of or have questions related to the sender. It’s much better to check first to make sure the email is legitimate BEFORE you click on anything. Clicking on unsafe links opens you up to “hackers” who can get access to your address book.
- Separate social media logins. Consider creating an e-mail just for social media accounts. If a social media account is hacked, your main email will remain safe.
- Use your provider’s tools. If you receive a suspicious message, mark it as spam and block the sender. This helps prevent new messages from the same source.
- When in doubt, ask. If you are unsure whether an e-mail is genuine—especially if it claims the Bishop or other Synod staff members are urgently requesting money or gift cards—forward it to me at [email protected] and I can confirm.
Scammers are inventive, and their messages can range from funny (“a free piano, anyone?”) to urgent (“buy gift cards immediately”). Their goal is to catch you off guard. But with a careful eye and a few simple habits, you can stay protected.
If something feels unusual, it probably is. Take a moment to pause, verify, and reach out if you need help. Together, we can stay safe online and remain fully engaged in the vibrant life of our synod!