Naples church member avoids losing $1K after fake pastor email

A Naples church is warning the community after scammers impersonated its pastor to trick members into buying gift cards for people they falsely claimed were in need.

One church member says she was just minutes away from losing $1,000 before she stopped to verify the request.

Paula Stone, an elder at Moorings Presbyterian Church, said she received what appeared to be an email from the Rev. Dr. Steven Aguzzi asking her to purchase ten $100 gift cards from the Dollar Store. The email claimed Aguzzi was attending a conference and wanted to help people in the community who were experiencing hardships.

"I dropped everything," Stone said.

The message looked authentic, she said, using language and a tone that sounded like something her pastor would write. Believing the request was legitimate, she went to two different stores looking for the gift cards.

After finding them, Stone said the scammers instructed her to scratch off the security strip on the back of each card, take photos of the card numbers and the store receipt, then email the images back.

Before completing the purchase, however, Stone said something didn't feel right.

"God intervened because something said to me, 'You better double-check,'" she said.

Instead of buying the gift cards, she sent a text message to Aguzzi.

"He responded immediately and said, 'STOP' in capital letters. 'This is a scam,'" Stone said.

Stone never lost any money, but she says other members of the congregation weren't as fortunate.

"They're out $1,000, and it didn't go to people in need. It went to crooks," she said.

Aguzzi said the scam is especially troubling because it exploits people's generosity.

"Churches in our community, and certainly this church, have a heart to serve those in need," Aguzzi said. "They're preying on people who want to do good for their community."

He emphasized that Moorings Presbyterian Church would never ask members to purchase gift cards through email.

Since learning about the scam, the church has warned members through its newsletter.

Stone says the experience taught her an important lesson.

"If something doesn't seem right, if it doesn't feel right, then stop and think twice," she said.

How to protect yourself

• Verify the sender by calling or texting them using a phone number you already know.
• Carefully check the sender's email address for misspellings, extra letters, numbers or other unusual characters.
• Never send photos of gift card numbers or activation receipts to someone you haven't verified.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels off, stop and confirm the request before sending money.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a scam is encouraged to contact the Collier County Sheriff's Office.