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Cyber & FraudFOX43 (via Yahoo News) · Nov 4, 2026 · Pennsylvania
Several members of St. John's United Church of Christ in Red Lion, Pa., received calls and texts from people impersonating their pastor and asking for gift cards. Members said the caller's voice sounded exactly like the pastor, and the congregation believes scammers pulled her voice from worship services posted to YouTube and used AI to copy it. The church says the pastor will never ask anyone for gift cards or electronic payment by phone, text, or email.
Why it mattersAnnounce from the pulpit and in your bulletin this Sunday that your pastor and staff will never ask for gift cards or money by call or text, and set a simple rule: hang up and call the church office at its published number to verify any request.
Read at FOX43 (via Yahoo News) →
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Insider Riskabc27 WHTM (via Yahoo News) · Nov 4, 2026 · Pennsylvania
Lower Paxton Township police charged the former treasurer of the Latino Connection Foundation, a Harrisburg nonprofit, with felony theft, unlawful use of a computer, and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities. Police say numerous unauthorized transfers went from the nonprofit's bank account to hers, along with cash withdrawals, totaling $49,570. She was released on unsecured bail, with a preliminary hearing set for Dec. 7.
Why it mattersSet your bank so no single person can both initiate and approve an online transfer, and have a board member who is not the treasurer review the full bank statement every month.
Read at abc27 WHTM (via Yahoo News) →
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Insider RiskKWTX · Nov 4, 2026 · Texas
The former treasurer of the West Ambulance Association, a volunteer EMS organization in West, Texas, was arrested and charged with felony theft and credit card abuse, accused of embezzling about $23,000. The association president said the treasurer had access to its accounts and used a credit card in his own name to buy personal items from Amazon. The missing funds surfaced only after he resigned and the group had an accountant review all accounts.
Why it mattersDo not wait for a treasurer to leave to look at the books: have an outside accountant or a two-person committee review every account and card statement once a year, and never let an organizational card be issued in one volunteer's personal name.
Read at KWTX →
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Threats & IncidentsKSLA · Nov 4, 2026 · Louisiana
The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal arrested a 38-year-old Doyline man on Oct. 29 and charged him with simple arson in an Oct. 18 fire at Arkadelphia Baptist Church in Rodessa. Fire crews were called around 7:41 a.m. that Saturday, and state investigators determined the fire was set intentionally. The investigation remains ongoing.
Why it mattersFor buildings that sit empty between services, add motion lighting and a monitored smoke and intrusion alarm, and ask a neighbor or member to drive by on weekend mornings.
Read at KSLA →
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Policy & LegalWord&Way · Nov 2, 2026
Churches serve as more than half of polling places in Arkansas and Oklahoma, 40% to 50% in seven other states, and at least 30% in 21 more. Two federal court injunctions bar warrantless DHS enforcement actions at thousands of congregations, including Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, American Baptist, Alliance of Baptists, some ELCA Lutheran and Quaker congregations, and a Sikh temple, and federal law bars federal officials from intimidating voters at the polls. Pastors interviewed described keeping copies of the injunction on hand, posting signs, briefing staff on whom to call, and serving as identifiable clergy presence.
Why it mattersIf your building is a polling site, write a one-page plan before the next election: who greets officials or agents, who calls your attorney and denomination, and where your copy of any court order covering your congregation is kept.
Read at Word&Way →
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Threats & IncidentsMPR News · Nov 2, 2026 · Minnesota
FBI data shows anti-Muslim hate crimes in Minnesota have risen in election years since 2016, with 12 anti-Islamic incidents recorded in the state so far in 2026, two of them at mosques. Bloomington's Dar Al-Farooq, firebombed in 2017, has bulletproof windows, cameras, and guards and has trained with police on handling threats, while the Blaine mosque relies on cameras, protected prayer-room windows, and a Friday police presence. CAIR Minnesota held a safety-planning meeting for imams and clergy of other faiths last month.
Why it mattersAsk your local police department this week for a walkthrough and a standing contact for threats, and log every threatening call, email, or post with date and time so patterns can be reported.
Read at MPR News →
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Threats & IncidentsDC News Now · Nov 2, 2026 · District of Columbia
Metropolitan Police are asking the public to help identify a person seen on security footage writing antisemitic remarks on the property of Adas Israel Congregation in Northwest Washington. Police said the incident happened on October 10 just before 3 p.m., and the suspect walked away afterward.
Why it mattersCheck that at least one camera covers each exterior wall and entrance at face height, and photograph and report any graffiti to police before cleaning it off.
Read at DC News Now →
