There have been rare occasions when fraudsters have posed as officials from the Church, primarily online (but it is also possible this could be inperson or on the telephone), to trick people into giving them personal information and defraud them of money. 

If you're unsure about whether the person you're dealing with is a genuine volunteer, employee or office holder at the church – stop – and call us check their identity. Their picture should be on the contact page but if in doubt call the Rector direct on 07809 460695.

Please note, if you've been on the phone to someone – who called you – but you have doubts about them, we recommend that you hang up and wait five minutes before you call us. There have been cases of fraudsters keeping the line open after a victim has hung up. Leaving several minutes between calls will make sure that the call has closed.

How we will contact you

How we make contact will depend on how you've asked us to contact you and the circumstances around why they're contacting you.

We may get in touch:

• in person
• by phone
• by email
• by letter

Whichever way we contact you we will identify themselves clearly as someone from the church and explain why they're contacting you.

Contact in person

If we contact you in person, we will show you our photo ID card, which will have a branded lanyard. This is proof of their identity. You can check the QR code on the ID card for verification or, if in doubt, call the Rector direct on 07809 460695.

Contact by phone

If we need to speak to you on the phone, we will identify ourselves clearly. We will never: 

• ask you for your bank details or PIN
• ask you to transfer funds to another account
• ask you to hand over cash or bank cards to a courier
• ask you to pay a fine or a fee to them or a third party over the phone or online
• ask you for access to your computer, passwords or log on details over the phone or online
• ask you to register personal details in an attachment or website online
• communicate in an abusive, threatening or coercive manner

Contact by email or letter

If we contacts you by email or letter, we will never do any of the above or in addition: 

• ask for remote access to your computer
• ask you to click on a hyperlink to participate in an investigation
• send you unsolicited emails with attached files, especially zip or macro-enabled Microsoft Office files
• ask you for any login credentials or passwords

Remember if you're unsure about whether the person you're dealing with is genuine – stop – and call the rector direct on 07809 460695 to check their identity.

If you think you've been a victim of fraud, please report it to Action Fraud either online or by phone: 0300 123 2040.