We want to remind people about "spoof" emails purportedly from the Bishop or other Conference staff members. Scams involving emails purportedly from several District Superintendents, and Bishop Laurie Haller are now circulating, and many ask you to "Please don't call as I am in a meeting. Just email me back."

1. While some people may have a Gmail account, all official business is conducted with a dakotasumc.org, dkmnareaumc.org, or iumc.org account.
2. If a District Superintendent or the Bishop is asking for your help or directing you to do something, more than likely, it would be communicated by phone or in-person, which makes for easy verification.
3. There really isn’t anything that can be done from the Conference end as it isn’t necessarily a breach of anyone’s email. The best remedy is to utilize the advice to be skeptical and verify before deciding your response.

These three steps pretty much cover the recurring problems with email hoaxes.

However, the list isn’t exhaustive, as each new day brings another creative attempt to get something for nothing.

"... be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)