Hello Christ IT Family,

This is Jason, reaching out with an important heads-up to help keep your finances safe. We want to make sure our clients – churches, seniors, and small businesses – are aware of the latest threats.

Urgent Alert: Protect Your Funds from Sophisticated Scams!

Local authorities are warning about cunning scammers who use sophisticated fake IDs and elaborate stories to trick people into wiring money. These fraudsters create convincing but false situations, sometimes involving fake vehicle purchases or urgent payment demands, to steal funds from unsuspecting individuals and organizations.

Here’s what you need to do to protect yourself and your organization right now:

  1. Always Verify Independently: If you receive a request to send money, especially for a large amount or to a new recipient, always verify it through a trusted, known contact method. Do not use phone numbers or email addresses provided in the suspicious request itself. Call the person or company directly using a number you know to be legitimate.
  2. Be Skeptical of Urgency: Scammers often create a sense of panic or urgency to bypass your good judgment. Take a breath, slow down, and question any immediate demands for funds. There’s almost always time to verify.
  3. Inspect Identities Closely: Be highly suspicious of any digital IDs or documentation provided online, especially if they look slightly off or come from an unexpected source. Sophisticated fakes are common.
  4. Confirm Before Wiring: Wiring money is like sending cash – it’s incredibly difficult to recover. Never wire funds unless you are absolutely 100% certain of the recipient’s legitimacy and the reason for the transfer.

If you are unsure if a request is legitimate, or if you clicked something you shouldn’t have, give Christ IT a call immediately. We can help assess the situation and ensure your systems are secure.

Stay safe out there!

Blessings,

Jason
Owner, Christ IT Services

Security Alert from Christ IT Services. Original report: https://www.abccolumbia.com/2026/01/30/richland-co-deputies-searching-for-2-accused-of-wire-fraud/