We want to inform our community of an ongoing email scam affecting Albany Presbytery. Scammers are impersonating church leaders—currently our Moderator, The Rev. Dr. Katy Stenta—by sending fraudulent emails that appear to come from her. These emails typically ask recipients to respond regarding a confidential matter. The sender’s email address is not legitimate, though it may look similar to an official one.
What You Need to Know
- These scams are not unique to Albany Presbytery—similar impersonation attempts have targeted churches and faith organizations nationwide.
- The scammers appear to be gathering names and contact details from our website.
- The emails change frequently, but they typically create a sense of urgency and request a direct reply.
A Couple of Email Examples
How You Can Stay Safe
- Double-check email addresses. If you receive a request for private information or an unusual favor, verify that the sender’s email is correct. Albany Presbytery leaders use official email accounts, not random addresses. At this time, our Moderator and Vice Moderator use their personal email address.
- Do not reply or click on any links in suspicious emails.
- Be cautious of emails requesting access to church or presbytery directories. Scammers may try to obtain contact lists to target more people.
- Report suspicious emails to us. If you receive an email that seems off, please let us know so we can continue to monitor the situation.
We are sorry for any confusion this may cause. Unfortunately, we have no control over these fraudulent emails, but we want to ensure everyone is informed and prepared. While Rev. Katy Stenta is the current target, scammers may attempt to impersonate other leaders in the future.
If you have any concerns, please reach out to us directly. Thank you for your vigilance in keeping our community safe!
