Scam Log

11/14/07. "Norman D. Hebert" is back with a vengence. He called the church claiming to be a parishioner who had been mugged in Ontario...same story as a few years ago. He got $500. He also called at least 3 other Episcopal churches in the area (Columbus, OH) and would have succeeded at least one more time were it not for the credit card company. Please know that this person also called my home telephone number at 4:20 AM to gloat.

Date: 07/20/07

Encounter

An Episcopal Church in Western Washington received a call on July 19, 2007. Saying he was in Ontario, the caller reported he had been robbed and had lost all of his money and ID. He sounded just like a particular parishioner. He asked to have $200 wired to cover the upcharge for changing his flight, and to get a shuttle home from the airport. He said he would stop in the next day to repay the person in the office. Because he had no ID with which to claim the wired money, he asked that it be sent to his friend who was helping him. Imagine everyone's surprise when the name, Rosario Hebert, turned up in a June 15, 2005 encounter in the Integrity scam log for a very similar effort.

Date: 07/06/05

Encounter

July 6, 2005 - from Akron, Ohio, USA - sounds like the same guy - called the Rector, an Integrity member from the parish, the parish administrator, and another Akron priest - used three different names with a series of phone calls over four days: "John Clinton", "Bill Henderson" and the name of a parish member. We have contacted Canadian Phonebusters - 888-495-8501 and our local police (who referred us to the local FBI office who is investigating further.) He did not get money out of us, but used the same tactics as described in other encounters.

Date: 07/02/05

Encounter

I had a call today, 7/2/05 at Noon pacific time from 905 361-8349. The caller said he was John Clinton (muffled), he needed to speak with me urgently and asked me to pick up the phone.

Date: 07/02/05

Encounter

A man called at 2:59 p.m. Eastern time; he left a voicemail message claiming to be "John Clinton," said that he needed to speak with me urgently, and said that since he wasn't home in Rochester, he'd call back. My caller I.D. showed him as having called from 905-361-8349 in Ontario, Canada. Sarah Dylan Breuer

Date: 06/25/05

Encounter

Date: June 25, 2005 I wanted to share with the group that someone has been using my name "Rev. Barry Horn" via telephone in an attempt to scam money from some Mainers. To date my name has been used to contact an individual in Maine, at least one Episcopal Church in Maine, and a hospital chaplain in Maine. This caller has been described as a "frantic" caller in crisis and in need of money. So, please be aware and on the alert for calls from such an individual. I am also aware that this scam could involve more than one person. I would appreciate any help with this that you all could give. Suggestions as to how to put a stop to this would be most appreciated. I want to thank God for Integrity and the Blessing that all of you are! I am experiencing a deep peace in this situation and I am confident that God is indeed taking very good care of me! In Him, The 'Real' Rev. Barry Horn Thanks, Barry Co-Network Coordinator, Diocese of Maine

Date: 06/17/05

Encounter

Tuesday, June 14, Trinity Memorial Church, Binghamton, NY. Called from Toronto and at first claimed to be associated with Integrity. Later dropped the Integrity name and claimed to be representing another parishioner who was injured. The Toronto police are investigating the incident. The phone number used (a Toronto area cell phone) and further information is available by emailing Phyllis Amenda at pamenda@binghamton.edu.

Date: 06/16/05

Encounter

Parish priest in Fort Collins, follow-up from yesterday. Scammers called back today, claiming the Western Union office had closed before they got there, please resend. (We know they picked it up yesterday @ 3:56 EDT). A woman claiming to be w/ WU implored us to "help these people!" They've become increasingly abusive. From caller ID we know they're calling from 905-361-8349. I found Canadian Crimebusters very helpful -- 888-495-8501. They advised to tell them we're on to them & to stop calling, if they call again. Not much hope for recovery though.

Date: 06/15/05

Encounter

Parish priest in Fort Collins, CO. We received a collect call from Toronto today, a man identifying himself as the partner of a Vestry member (and it sounded like him too). Said he & his partner were in Canada for a funeral, were beaten & robbed the night before. They needed money to pay a "ticket replacement fee" in order to get home. I wired $499 via Western Union, only to have the real man phone me from his home as soon as I sent the Vestry an email. He asked to have it sent to his friend "N. Rosario Hebert" since his ID had been stolen. I'm feeling pretty stunned & stupid at this point a couple hours later...

Date: 06/14/05

Encounter

From Christ Church, Roanoke, VA. I had a call this morning from a man identifying himself as Ron K., an active member of the parish. There was a lot of interference on the line -- intentional, I think, to disguise his voice, although his accent and voice inflections were similar to Ron's, so I'm thinking he might know him. "Ron" said he had gone to Ontario for a funeral and had been mugged, and the reason his voice sounded different is that when he resisted, the mugger had kicked him in the head and broken his nose. Even with the guy's masterful impersonation, there was enough difference in his use of language that I felt pretty sure it wasn't Ron, especially since the real Ron was at the church for a meeting yesterday and would have said something if he were going out of town. Also, we've gotten these scam calls before. "Ron" never got to the point of asking for money, and I had to go to Morning Prayer, so I just told him that I hoped he felt better and to give me a call when he got home. He did say before he hung up that "they got everything." When I called the real Ron, he was fine and was right here in town where he belongs. Deborah Hunley

Date: 06/13/05

Encounter

6/13/05 I am the parish secretary of an Episcopal Church in Nashville, TN & unfortunately I fell for the scam. Same senario-mugged in Toronto, needed help to get home. The priest wasn't here so I got authorization from a Vestry member to send the money ($400). Live & learn.

Date: 06/04/05

Encounter

I am a co-chairof the Integrity circle at St Paul's Memorial church in Charlottesville, VA. On May 22 I received a frantic call from my partner as I was driving back from Atlanta. He stated that our rector had called him at work and stated that a man using my name had called and said that I was in Canada on vacation adn had been beaten up and needed money wire to a Western Union so that we could get home. He used names that should that he had researched both pur circle and our church web sites and seemed to have all the answers to questions except for when our rector asked to speak to my partner because he need proof. When he asked for a numbere to call him back to send the money the caller hung up.

Date: 05/21/05

Encounter

I'm an Episcopal priest in a gay-friendly church in New Mexico and just got an automated-operator collect call from "Telephone Canada" with a guy whose voice I recognized from years back. He identifies himself as "Richard" because that's the name of the Integrity contact for our parish on our website. Before, when he called I accepted charges and he got into his sob story, which I didn't believe. I hung up then quickly called the real Richard, who had no idea about it, of course. But this time I put it together quick enough not to accept the charges. This is low. Priest in New Mexico

Date: 08/09/04

Encounter

This may be farther reaching than you know.

I'm writing from Ottawa, ON Canada, and I was the volunteer on hand Friday August 6th and a call came into the church office, using the name of one of our prominent members. He was claiming to have been assaulted, and robbed and needing to come home. I would encourage all having an encounter like this to find questions that would easily identify a true parishioner from one just doing some research on the internet. For instance our rector's wife does not have the same last name - and you would only know that and her name if you attended our church. We saved ourselves $400 when this scam artist refused to answer any questions that the real member of our parish would know easily. Our diocesan office was not as lucky and sent $750. The directions of the caller were to send money to Western Union in Sudbury, Ontario, and he was working with a man speaking in an obvious falsetto voice claiming to be a Western Union employee. I hope this information might be of help.

Date: 04/03/04

Encounter

I was just contacted via telephone by a male from the phone number 702-740-0450. The caller ID on my telephone showed up as "Integrity National" . This person asked for me by name and as soon as I said "hello", hung up. Please advise if you have a Nevada office. Thank you.

Date: 01/28/04

Encounter

Jan 28--I am the interim parish secretary and member of the Episcopal church here in Pocatello, ID. Yesterday, I received three consecutive calls from a man claming to be "Robert Anderson". He wanted to speak to our rector "ANNA" (not our rector's correct name)I was not overly helpful or at all congenial as I had a head's up that he'd called another church in our diosese claming to be our former rector, had been beaten stabed etc and needed money wired as he was stranded (the name was correct as our former rector however I also know that he had been a victim of this scam about a year or two ago. Anyway this "Robert" demanded to know my name and continued to insist that I should know him, as if he was some important leader in the church. He refused to jump through "my hoops" namely, he would not leave a call back number nor give me a general reason for wanting to speak to the rector. He became extremly obnoxious and I hung up on him. He immeadiatly called back and attempted to chastise me for my rudeness. When that didn't work he attempted to intimidate me with guilt and threats. Finally he demanded to have the name and number of our Senior Warden as he was going to "have me fired." Again, I hung up. He immeadiatly called third time. My husband, who just happened to be in the office answered. This time he identified himself as Marvin Anderson and insisted on three things: First, that he "Marvin" was a very important leader in our church that I had just offended, 2nd, he insisted on being given my name and home phone as well as my husband's name and number (of course he didn't know he was speaking with my husband) and finally he continued his demand to speak with our Rector. Failing in this he again demanded the Senior Warden's and number as well. He got no number or names but he finally did leave a message for our Warden to call the San Franscisco Dioscese at a number in the 415 area code. I am conviced this is the same man you've all described. You might find this helpful He began with me as just far too friendly and familliar which automatically kicked in my suspicious and cynical nature. He also spoke in what sounded like a phony-sterotyped forced femmine type voice. The overfriendly beginning was replaced with extreme rudeness when he realized I wasn't the typical helpful parish secretary he was used to scamming. He then tried to use guilt and threats, which I am certain often works to his advantage. He seemedintent on gleaning names and phone numbers from me. He didn't get far enough with me to ask for money to be wired. If he had, the police would be involved by now.

Date: 11/14/03

Encounter

I am surprised at how this alleged fraud is being handled by this Integrity web site. When any Christian gives to someone they believe needy he/she is always doing a charitable act, i.e., storing his/her treasures in heaven, even though the solicitor may actually be misrepresenting themselves. I feel it is fair to inform Integrity members that someone may be contacting Integrity members saying they are someone other than who they are, letting that member decide what they want to do. Your strong characterization of these incidents as open "scams" seems very "un-Christian" and "Un-Episcopalian." This is clearly a poor soul that we should pray for. We give money everyday to people and charities that misrepresent themselves.

D. J. Register Integrity/Durham, NC

Date: 10/21/03

Encounter

On Thursday,October 16th, a person claiming to be "Richard Kaiser" called St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia. He called collect and said he was in California, we think he said Los Angelos. He claimed to have been beaten, robbed and stabbed, that he had just been released from the hospital. He claimed to be the head of Integrity, Phila. and was indignant when our church administrator did not acknowledge knowing him as such. He wanted to speak with a priest. Neither of the priests were available at the time, a fact, he refused to believe but said he would call back later. To our knowledge, he never did. Hope this information might be helpful in locating this person. Sincerely, Judith Beck The Rev. Judith L.T. Beck St. Peter's Church 313 Pine Street Philadelphia, PA 215-925-5968 beck@Stpetersphila.org

Date: 09/01/03

Encounter

09/01/03 It seems to me that the "Western Union Scammer", in all likelyhood, has hacked into the Integrity database to obtain names of officers, clergy, and others to perpetrate his crimes. You might check into obtaining an enhanced firewall or at least require a password on the membership file to prevent unauthorized access. We have been lucky that this criminal has used this information only to scam for money. With the media frenzy at the General Convention, there are many homophobes out there with an axe to grind. You only need look at the members of Congress supporting a Constitutional Amendment making same gender marriages illegal to know there's going to be a backlash from the political and religious right.

Date: 08/13/03

Encounter

A fascinating view into this world is found in a recent interview with Walter Brueggemann, who is the "William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament" at the Presbyterian Church, USA's Columbia Theological Seminary in Georgia. Interviewed in a newsletter published by homosexual activists in the Episcopal Church, Voice of Integrity, Brueggemann was asked: "Is it your experience that Scripture is the chief authority for moderate Christians, and is it the chief authority for you?"

Brueggemann answered: "The answer to both of these questions is, 'Yes.' It is the chief authority for moderates and it's the chief authority for me as long as one can qualify that to say that it is the chief authority when imaginatively construed in a certain interpretive trajectory [italics mine]. Got that?

Professor Brueggemann affirms the authority of the Bible as long as the Bible doesn't get in the way of his prior commitments, such as his commitment to normalizing homosexuality. On this basis, activists can propose virutally anything and deny the clear teaching of Scripture, all the while claiming just to be "imaginatively construing" the text in accord with their chosen "interpretaive trajectory."

Date: 08/13/03

Encounter

Date: 06/01/03

Encounter

Date: 08/02/02

Encounter

July 3 - 4, 2002. A call from Hayward, CA came into Diocese of Kansas office in Topeka, for the Bishop. Referred to Canon to the Ordinary. Caller claimed to be taking care of a retired priest and Integrity member in this diocese who'd been assaulted, injured so that he couldn't speak, wallet stolen, needed bus fare home. Further calls from bus station (?) Diocese couldn't locate priest, no one knew where he was. Diocese did wire funds for ticket, may have lost the money. Later same day scammer called priest's parish, but rector was out. July 4, 1:30 a.m. same person called a former Sr. Warden where retired priest had served. Warden didn't buy it. July 4 2:00 a.m. Calls to Canon to Ordinary's home. Scammer, identified as "Bruce" and claimed to be the nurse who helped treat the priest, claimed to be in San Francisco at bus station, stated earlier funds didn't go through, wanted another W. Union wire. After a few more calls, and conversation with W. Union operator, Canon decided it was scam and hung up on "Bruce." Later that morning Canon finally learned whereabouts of the priest, which verified this was a scam. What made it complicated for a while was how much personal info, names and current phone numbers the scammer had. From reading all the other reports on the log, it's obvious this is a persistent effort. Why isn't this information or an alert shared with all diocesan offices, so they can advise their parishes? It would save a lot of time, uncertainty, and for some - a bit of money!

Date: 07/13/02

Encounter

Thanks for having a place to log these "close encounters". The scenario happened to me yesterday, Friday July 12th. I am a licensed openly gay minister in the United Church of Christ, doing pulpit supply within my association. The scammer called my church of membership (Urbandale UCC) and the church secretary supplied the phone numbers of 2 of my friends (both gay), when the caller gave those particular names. One was called by the scammer, but didn't fall for it when he questioned the scammer on who the head pastor of our church was. He replied Susan G.... and he knew that absolutely no-one calls her Susan---only Sue.

The scammer made a second attempt with a call to the Iowa Conference office of the UCC. They nearly fell for it, and were close to wiring the money. But one of the conference ministers called Pastor Sue at my church, who by then knew fully that it was a fraudulent situation. As of today, Sat. July 13th, I have had no reports of further attempts in my name.

Date: 04/05/02

Encounter

April 05, 2002

Dear Sir,

How are you? One day about two, year ago while at, walk with my dog. Did ask plain clothe, man what he had, been carry in building? He pulled out Lysol, can at bottom of, can was hole cover. Look like to me, some kind of illegal, drug smuggle. What is strange Police, relax next door from, constant occuring aspect. Where is your Law? Place is suppose to, be Rug carpet Sale, people.

Sincerely, Ms Clavelina Carmen De Lawder

Date: 03/14/02

Encounter

The scammer is at it again. Integrity/Brooklyn (NY) rec'd a message from someone claiming to be Doug Ball (Integrity nat'l exec secretary), leaving a San Francisco number and saying it was urgent that we call back. It wasn't Doug, we didn't call back, and this routine is getting very old.

Date: 02/26/02

Encounter

I did not know this site existed w/Integrity. Here in Los Angeles the scammer has "hit" several times. On one call, he said he was Fr. Warren Nyback (the Bp.s rep. to the G/L Community)on his way to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Once he claimed to be me, in a call to another congregation. Once he called me claiming to be a friend of mine in Honolulu (J*** S*******). He also got money from the Canon in Honolulu claiming to be the same person from Hawaii.

He obviously has some mailing lists, but he does not know Episcopalian terminology. Amazing that this is happening all over.

The Rev. Jim Newman St. Bede's, Los Angeles

Date: 02/01/02

Encounter

Both the priests in my church (St. Andrew's, Norfolk) and the bishop of our diocese received collect telephone calls early last evening from someone claiming to be me. The person said that I had been beaten up in California, had just gotten out of the hospital, and needed $340 wired to me to buy a plane ticket back home. The call did come from California. Well, fortunately he didn't get any money as I was called at home and the whole scheme was seen as a fraud. I remember something like this a couple of years ago, and it was folks associated with Integrity who were getting the calls. This seems much to coincidental, so thought I'd give you a heads up.

Date: 01/31/02

Encounter

At about 5:00 p.m. on the afternoon of January 31, 2002, John Runkle, our Associate Rector at Christ Church, Roanoke, VA, received a collect call at the parish office from someone who identified himself as Michael Hopkins. The call was for me, and since I was not there, and the caller seemed to know me well (in fact, I've never met Michael Hopkins, but John didn't know that), John was willing to give him my home phone number. Our Diocesan Council (annual convention) is meeting this coming weekend -- I'm moderating a workshop on gay issues, and the caller made it sound like he was coming to speak at the workshop and needed to get in touch with me to check something out before coming. John had no idea who Michael Hopkins is, and he said the caller was really arrogant and annoying about the whole thing, saying things like, "Don't you know who I AM!?!" Very self-important. The caller also knew the first name of our Senior Warden, who was only elected a couple of weeks ago (he called her later at home, posing as Mark Martin, a member of our parish – stranded in L.A. and in need of help), and gave John the impression that he had been to Christ Church before and knew her from his visit(s).

Shortly after John took the call at the office, I received a collect call at home from someone claiming to be Mark Martin. The caller was not very convincing – the voice was all wrong, and he used words and phrases that would not be characteristic of Mark (called me "pastor" instead of "priest," for example). That call was included in a post last night by Michael Sitton, Mark's partner, with just one correction – the caller didn't ask me for money. Maybe he was working up to it, but part of the weirdness of the call was that I couldn't figure out what he wanted. Not like Mark at all!

Date: 01/30/02

Encounter

On Jan. 30, 2002, someone claiming to be my partner, Mark Martin, called (collect) our parish priest (Christ Episcopal Church, Roanoke, VA) and claimed to have been assaulted and in need. The priest was suspicious and did not agree to send money. At different times during the same day, apparently the same person also called the senior warden of the church with the same story, and also called my home claiming to be another Integrity member from Richmond. The phone calls, at least the one to my home, were made from this telephone number: 323-469-8670.

Michael Sitton

Date: 12/29/01

Encounter

Just a note to alert people that Mark the Scammer is still working the = Philadelphia churches. He called today, saying I apparently didn't get = his previous message. I suggested he forget about the Philadelphia area = since the word of his scam has gotten out to the parishes. I also told = him, as an ex-cop turned ordained priest, that I will take an unusual = pastoral approach if I catch up to him. "Do you understand?" I asked = him. "Not really," he said. Yes, he does.

Date: 12/20/01

Encounter

It is happening again. He's hit both Houston and Dallas chapters and churches - and Claude Payne, the Bishop of Texas. I may be wrong in assuming this is the same scammer we've had before, but the threat is just the same. He pretends to be an Integrity member, usually one with wide name-recognition - Rob Rynearson and I have been so honored this time! Or he pretends to be a friend of such a person. Either way he says he has been beat up and robbed and needs hundreds of dollars to get home to Houston. He told Jim Nutter, rector of Palmer Memorial, he was a friend of Rob's, and he told Fr. Waller of St. Thomas, Dallas, he was I! He told Bishop Payne he was Rob. Fortunately all these folks thought twice about sending money and discovered the distressed parties to be OK at home. He told me he was in Fort Worth but the Caller ID revealed he was in or near Long Beach, CA. He told Jim Nutter Rob was in San Diego for a friend's funeral. His information about Integrity seems to be sketchy and dated - he thought the Houston Chapter met at Our Tree House - we often meet at Autry House! No one seems to have heard his name clearly - I think it may be David Stout, or at least something phonetically close to that. I knew somone by that name in SC, but I think he's a solid citizen.

Date: 12/20/01

Encounter

The scammer is at it again. He called my parish today, St. Thomas the Apostle-Dallas, claiming to be David Tarbet. He asked for the rector and me by name, and then demanded our home phone numbers. The receptionist called the rector, and the scammer was unsuccessful on this one. I have advised the diocesan office and another parish here that might be a likely target. Probably not a bad idea for others to get the word out that he's at work again.

Date: 12/20/01

Encounter

Date: 12/04/01

Encounter

On Monday night, a man calling himself Mark Davis called my partner's parish here in Pennsylvania giving a story of how he's a member of Integrity and he's stuck in Los Angeles and his father has kicked him out because he has AIDS. Since the rector is out of town he called the emergency contact number for one of the Wardens (collect, mind you). She had the presence of mind to call us when he claimed he was from Integrity. We told her to refuse further calls. Seems he's at it again.

Date: 11/12/01

Encounter

Last Friday afternoon, while G___ and I were vacationing in New York City, a scam artist placed separate phone calls to St. John's Cathedral and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church claiming to be me, asking to speak to the dean of the Cathedral and to the rector of St. Andrew's, respectively, and then telling the secretaries who were handling the calls that G___ and I had been robbed, that G___ was seriously injured, that I was stranded without any money and asking them to wire money to an account in Lafayette, Louisiana. Sound familiar? Since in each case the secretaries and others who spoke to him recognized that it was not me calling, they did not fall for the scam. Through G____'s office they were able to reach us in New York and we were able to assure them that we were okay. They nevertheless were pretty shaken up emotionally. Someone from St. Andrew's dialed *69 and found that the call was from (337) 235-4773 in Louisiana.

Between midnight Friday and 1 am Saturday, he placed additional calls to Bishop Jerry Winterrowd at his home, the Rev. Connie Delzell, the rector of St. Andrew's, at her home and the Rev. _________, a retired priest and an Integrity Colorado board member, at his home, with essentially the same horrible story. Again, these three recognized that it was not me calling but they were disturbed nonetheless. ______'s partner B__ dialed *69 and found that the call came from the same number - (337) 235-4773. On dialing this number he found that it was the number of The Lighthouse Inn in Louisiana.

A similar incident occurred several months ago, with a call to the receptionist at the Cathedral purporting to be from ____ ________ in distress with the same request for money to be wired. Again, this resulted in upset but no money wired. And you will remember that similar calls were made to me and to other Integrity Colorado members during the General Convention period, with one of our members falling for the scam and wiring $200 to this individual.

What can be done to apprehend this person? Surely this is a crime. I remember that Integrity once hired a private detective to try to locate this individual (I am assuming it is the same person). It is particularly worrisome to me that he did this while Greg and I were actually out of town - I hope that this is a coincidence and that he is not tracking our travel plans.

Date: 10/03/01

Encounter

I received a call about a month ago from someone sounding very much like this "gentleman." He had initially spoken with a priest in Indianapolis who referred him to me because he claimed to be from Richmond, Indiana. In checking out his story I called another priest in Indianapolis who referred me to a gay friendly parish in Miami, the town from which he was calling. As I told this priest the story his immediate response was "it's a scam."

Date: 08/30/01

Encounter

I write to warn you of a panhandler who I suspect is working the Diocese of >Atlanta. The name he gave me was Bill Johnson. He calls collect from Fort >Meyers, FLA. The story he tells is that he is from (fill in your own town) >and that he has attended your church. He says he went to visit his parents >in Fort Meyers, and became ill with an AIDS related illness. Upon >discovering he has AIDS, his parents abandoned him. He is asking that money >be wired via Western Union, so he can get home. >Over the course of our conversation, he dropped a couple of names of people >who are involved with Integrity- Atlanta. (I don't think he knew have far >apart Toccoa and Atlanta are.) >I put him off until I could ask around to see if anyone knows him, and to >try and contact one of the people he mentioned from Atlanta. No one from >here has ever heard of him, and the person I called, who lives in Atlanta, >told me that he does not know a Bill Johnson, but that he has dropped his >name before, and has been playing this game for a while. >When Bill called back, I asked for his local address. He was unwilling to >give me one. >I think he worked the phone pretty hard this past weekend, so I suspect I am >not the only one who has heard from him. If you have, I would like to know >it. If you hear from him later- you know what you are dealing with.

Date: 08/21/01

Encounter

The scam artist appears to be targeting the Diocese of Olympia currently--pretending to be the president of Integrity and various clergy of that diocese. He has successful conned money from a couple of folks.

Date: 07/09/01

Encounter

July 7-8 -- Scammer called several Brooklyn, NY, parishes at odd times over weekend; he claimed to be I/NY president Paul Woodrum, allegedly mugged and needing cash to be wired to Ft. Lauderdale. He acquired new bogus referral names with each call; while claiming to be P.W., he also falsely claimed to know or be referred by Revs. Lau, Powers and Shelton, and by Pat Crawford (I/Bklyn) and two local wardens.

Date: 07/09/01

Encounter

The Rev. Gail Harris, priest at St. Luke & St. Simon Episcopal Church in Rochester NY, called Michael Hopkins today. She said that she received a call from someone pretending to be Michael. The scammer said his car was broken down in Ft. Lauderdale and needed $175. The scammer said he was at a medical clinic.

Gail used *66 and got the number 954-527-9261. When she called the number, they identified themselves as an insurance company. When I called the number they said they were an internet consulting company. They refused to give me their street address.

Date: 07/09/01

Encounter

A couple of entires lost due to editor error. Sorry.

Date: 07/08/01

Encounter

Michael Hopkins just received a phone call from a priest in New Jersey. Impersonating Paul Woodrum, the scammer claimed to have lost his wallet in Ft. Lauderdale. He asked for $300.

Date: 07/07/01

Encounter

7/7/01

The scammer is still hitting us up in Florida. Thursday night he called Father Gee Alexander four different times. He called our past convenor's, Dennis Ullery, house Friday night several times. He is persistent. I have contacted our diocesan office here Jacksonville, Florida and sent an email to them to let the diocese know of this man. I would suggest you do the same in your diocese as well if he calls to your area. With email, most diocese can make fairly rapid contact with their clergy. He may use the names of Kevin Jagoe, Dennis Ullery, Rev. Bruce Hanson, Rev. Gee Alexander, all from Jacksonville, Florida Area.

He claims to be someone such as Joe Whitaker or whittier from California. He has knowledge of the early meetings of Integrity/Jacksonville but no real specific knowledge. He talks smoothly but really has no idea what he is talking about. He believes that bishops appoint the convenors of each chapter. He has gained just enough knowledge to sound good but further questioning will rile him and make him hang up. Be persistent when questioning him and do not give out any information what so ever.

Kevin Jagoe Integrity/Jacksonville

Date: 07/07/01

Encounter

> I just received a telephone call from Florida. > "Phil Nicholson" was allegedly assaulted and > needed to have money forwarded immediately.

Phil is a former national officer. He is being impersonated.

> EVERYONE IN THE NORTHEAST PLEASE BE AWARE OF THIS > MAN. I asked for a telephone number and he would > not give one. My caller ID came up ANONYMOUS > CALL. Please keep your chapters and parishes > notified of these SCAMMER ALERTS. He is > evidently moving now just when we get him pegged down.

Date: 07/06/01

Encounter

7/5/01 I am an Episcopal Priest. Scammer called at 9 am said he was a parishioner, had been beaten, robbed and was just dismissed from hospital. He said he was in Pensacola, Fl. and needed plane fare to Orlando, $224. He called me by my first name - as did the parishioner - and said he had transfered into my parish from the cathedral a year ago, which was true. He knew the parishioner's occupation and gave me instructions for wiring money via Western Union. I mentioned he didn't sound like himself and his reply, "You wouldn't either if you had been beaten up and had stitches in your throat." I could not contact the parishioner by phone and finally assumed that the thing was on the level. I wired $250. At 4am the following morning I received another collect call from the alleged parishioner saying he was stuck at the Ft. Lauderdale airport and needed additional money. I asked some personal questions that the parishioner would have known the correct answer. He failed. I told the caller I was contacting the police. This is a smooth operator. The following day I was able to contact the parishioner and he told me of the Integrity Scammer. I'm out the money from my personal account as I am now retired and have no discretionary funds. I can ill afford to lose the money. Take heed. Beware!

Date: 07/04/01

Encounter

a scammer has been hitting various integrity chapter officials around the country for the past two years. he hit here [Jacksonville, FL] tonight as well. he calls saying he is a member of integrity...tonight he was impersonating me [Kevin Jagoe]. he says he is in trouble and needs money. tonight he called from an orlando best western.

please, do not send money. if you have the time and are willing to take the effort, try some stalling tactic like you will have a friend there drop the money by in a while but you have to make phone calls etc. get his address and description so that your friend can identify him. maybe even a good i.d like a driver's license to make sure your friend gives it to the right person. then call the jax sheriff's dept and report the guy giving them the location, etc. where ever in florida. then call me at home...880-5755 and on my cell at 477-0150. maybe we can stop this guy for a while.

Date: 06/28/01

Encounter

Recently I had some guy call me collect at my office (by name). He apparently had called another priest in the Diocese and asked if there were any active Integrity Chapters in the Diocese. That priest knew that Meridian had one and that I was the priest of that parish. He told the guy my name and then called me collect.

It was clear to me that he was a BS artist and I put him off.

Date: 06/28/01

Encounter

June 28,2001. The scammer hits Alabama. He called me last night from Daytona Beach, Florida (identified by the caller ID number) and said he had been mugged and robbed. He needed money to get back to Birmingham. Claimed to be a home health care nurse and a member of Integrity. He called a total of 11 times. I only accepted two of his collect calls. He had called my ex-wife earlier and got my home number from her. I gave him the number of a priest in Birmingham that he claimed to know. He has called Fr. Holder a number of times this morning. He got somewhere along the line the name of the treasurer of our chapter. He just called Rev Ruth Lamonte and preteneded to be David Gary (the treasurer) and asking for money. Please be careful. This guy seems dangerous to me. We are contacting the local police for what good that will do. Marshall Johnson, Convener - Integrity of Alabama

Date: 06/28/01

Encounter

It was clear to me that he was a BS artist and I put him off.

Date: 06/03/01

Encounter

From Debbie Graham:

Last week (week of May 27, 2001) Fr. Alex Nagy became another victim of the scammer. Fr. Nagy is stationed in Borrego Springs, CA and is a good friend of mine. The scammer posed as "Joel" and his friend "Norman Hebert" get from SF to Boise. Fr. Nagy lost almost $2,000 for "plane tickets" and to get their car out of impound. It was a costly lesson, but the guy sounded like Joel, said the things Joel would, he even used my name!

Supposedly I, Joel and Norman all were in San Francisco for a gay pride event. After I left to go home, they were accosted by a knife wielding man demanding money. When Norman refused, the man lunged at him with a knife. To protect him, "Joel" took the knife in his own shoulder. They were just getting out of the hospital after getting stitches. "Joel" asked me to wire him money (several installments over two days) to Western Union in SF.

After the scammer got done with Fr. Nagy, he tried to hit Trinity parish in Pocatello, Idaho. Fortunately I had already talked to the secretary there after I was first hit and they were spared.

Fr. Nagy did go to the police on June 2. Now that this has reached felony proportions, maybe law enforcement will get more involved.

FYI: I sent email to +Harry Bainbridge, Bishop of Idaho and our faithful diocesan secretary Carol Keller. Email has gone out to all parishes in the Diocese of Idaho about this guy.

Date: 05/26/01

Encounter

After I sent you the last email I called my Dean's home. Dean Rich wasn't home but I talked with his wife, Dianne. Seems the scammer had just called there too. He used the name Richard to initiate the collect call, which lead Diane to think it might be her husband so she accepted the call. He started out "nice" but quickly got obnoxious, insisting he had to talk with Dean Rich, then he wanted our senior warden's phone number (Diane didn't give it) then St. David's phone number. St. David's is a small parish in Caldwell, Idaho. Why St. David's I don't know. Diane didn't have the Diocesan directory and told him so but he kept insisting she find it for him. Finally she hung up.

Date: 05/26/01

Encounter

The scammer guy tried me again, just a few minutes ago. He called collect, using the just the name "Allen". I refused the call. Then I thought to myself, wait, this might be my brother Allen. It would have been unusual for my brother to call collect, but still possible, if something weird was going on. I started to look up my brother's number when the scammer guy called by, again collect. I accepted the call and asked the caller for the number where I could call him back. He said he had been having trouble getting a line through and that would not be possible. I asked him for his full name. He said Allen Quigley and said he need more information about the Pocatello Integrity Chapter. I responded "You are a scammer and I'm terminating this call." Then I hung up the phone on him.

Date: 05/24/01

Encounter

Just back in town (Spokane WA) after a week away and got your scam warning, unfortunately too late. He hit all over the Spokane area including getting $200 out of our very gay-supportive, new assistant at the cathedral; and getting our telephone number out of the diocesesan office-(-as a helpful referral?! Consequently we have 13 collect call attempts on our telephone recorder from around California (zip codes-415, 350, 510) and ocassionally using the name Alex Ziegler. Some indicate frustration expressed in very ripe obscenities etc. YUK!

Many local churches in this area were approached; we don"t know how many admit to giving help. This is bad news for any new, nascent gay-supporters. -And poor Chuck Elson, a neat guy, and At-large member of Integrity, has his name really besmirched. Chuck has been the devoted convener, for about four years now, of what is an unchartered chapter of Integrity. (That's another story that needs dealing with.)

I an just beginning to get input on this local scam. If any one is really trying to nail him down, please contact me later for possible more details We have 5 Calif. Tel. numbers that he called from.

Date: 05/21/01

Encounter

Today the scammer went to a new level. He contacted the dean of the cathedral in Boise, Idaho, and the convenor of Integrity/Treasure Valley, claiming to be one "Chuck Ellson" and implying that he represented national Integrity. He requested an updated list of members of the local chapter.

Be advised that national Integrity does not conduct such telephone updates. Further, the only national Integrity representatives authorized to contact local chapters regarding membership issues are the president, the regional vice presidents, and the execuctive secretary. A list of these officers and staff can be found at http://www.integrityusa.org/board/.

Date: 04/26/01

Encounter

Two years ago while serving as curate of a large parish in a Midwestern diocese, a man called the church one morning looking for the rector. In fact, he knew the rector by name and claimed to know him. The rector was out of town, so I had to take the call.

The man called on a Friday morning while I was leading a Bible study. He said that he was in California and was trying to get back to Chicago. He also said that he had AIDS and had been disowned by his family. He asked if I would wire him $200 Western Union.

I told him that I was leery about this and that $200 was a lot of money. Plus I would have to pay a hefty service charge to Western Union.

Unfortunately, this person caught me at a moment when I just wanted to get him "out of my hair" and I would have done just about anything to accomplish that. I sent him the money and really resented it because my discretionary fund had just received its annual grant from the parish ECW.

When the rector came back, I told him of the incident and he said that he had never heard of the person. I learned a very important lesson. I NEVER EVER promise monetary assistance over the phone unless I'm working with a parishioner.

Thank you for having this feature on your Website. It's a Godsend!

Sincerely,

A wiser priest (now rector) in Province V

Date: 04/23/01

Encounter

Date: 04/23/01

Encounter

We had several calls from a man that wanted the number of the president of the Nashville chapter. His story was that he needed money for his mother. He would never leave a message and when we wouldn't give out a phone number, he quit calling.

St. Ann's Episcopal Church Nashville, TN

Date: 04/07/01

Encounter

The "Integrity Scammer" tried it again today.

First, "Bill" called All Saints'/Atlanta and urgently asked for Bruce Garner's home phone number. When he was told that Bruce wasn't in town, he asked for "that other guy who's so active in Integrity" and the volunteer receptionist gave him my name.

The receptionist was suspicious, however, and also referred the question to a priest. She called me at the office and we discussed what was probably happening. She then posted a warning on the church's email system.

Shortly thereafter, "Bill" called again. He was transferred to the rector's secretary. While he was busy identifying himself as me -- with the ususal "robbed, beat-up, broke and out-of-town" story, the secretary was busy capturing the phone number he was calling from and notifying the police in Tennessee.

Don't know the outcome of that yet, but here's hoping.

Date: 04/05/01

Encounter

I was called from a bible study this morning to answer an emergency call. The slurred, unfamiliar voice called me by name, said we met once, identified me as Integrity convener, identified himself as J*** C*** (sp?), president of Integrity Nashvile, and asked how to reach Atlanta's Integrity person.

I do not know this man or recognize his voice.

He was not calling from Atlanta as he told me but from a Chattanooga #.

He's up to no good in our area and all our chapters might be so alerted.

Date: 04/04/01

Encounter

A Jeff Lane called K** R******* (our chaplain) and claimed to be in Cooperstown, TN where he claimed he was beaten up, had his keys and money stolen and wanted money wired to Western Union. He said he was returning to Knoxville and would bring her a check to repay. He claimed he had tried all afternoon to get me (not true), that he is a member of Integrity/Knox or at least on our mailing list (not true) and Western Union was getting ready to close. K**, who's been quite ill, went out to her car to go do the mission of mercy and found her battery dead.

So she called me. I told her it was almost certainly a scam and that there's a history of these attempts to prey on Integrity leaders. He has since tried to call me but left no message.

Date: 03/22/01

Encounter

Beginning on Tuesday afternoon (3/20), an individual posing under false names began calling leaders of various gay organizations. Many of the calls requested membership contact lists of particular organizations such as Integrity and Mystic Crew. The individual also called members of our community asking for money. The individual stated that he was stranded, hurt, and penniless in a large city and pleaded with the people he called to wire money to him by Western Union.

It has been confirmed that he was successful in one of his attempts. The individual asked that money be wired to Denver, CO. Western Union then diverted the funds to their office at the Piggly Wiggly on Madison Ave. This individual is known to have made calls from empty rooms at Methodist Hospital. Methodist Security is tracing the calls to specific extensions and looking at security camera footage to track the person down.

If anyone calls you asking for phone numbers or for money, do not oblige this person. This person was in Dallas, TX last week and is now operating in the Memphis area. Integrity has known of this individual for several years now. He moves from city to city scamming money from gay communities.

If you are called by this individual, attempt to establish his location and report it to police immediately.

Date: 03/21/01

Encounter

This guy gets around. Today a guy claiming to be Michael from Columbus, OH called my house asking for me. My partner P___ answered telling him that I was not at home. He said that he was an old friend and wanted to know if he could have the membership list for our Integrity chapter. He wanted it quickly. P____ told him he would have to speak to me about the memebership list. I happened to be at our regularly scheduled meeting. When "Michael" found out that he woudn't get to talk to me that night, he became very impatient and irritating. P___ hung up on him. He called several more times and hung up on P____. Each call was from a different line at Methodist Hospital in Midtown Memphis based on the caller id

The caller also called Calvary Church today posing as me. He asked church staff for chapter membership information. The receptionist knew my voice so he didn't very far with him. The church doesn't have that kind of information anyway.

I don't know if this guy is THE scammer. It may be a prank following a very high profile presence at our recent diocessan convention. Integrity served breakfast to diocesan delegates last Saturday.

Date: 03/18/01

Encounter

Back a year ago- a man called the parish claming to be stranded at an out of town airport ofter a mugging (Please send money Western Union...)- knew my name, the night of the monthly meeting and claimed to have attended regularly. We're a relatively small chapter, and as chplain I know folks names. I did not recognize his name or his voice. When I pushed a little bit for him to describe our physical location, or what our meetings where like he was unable to comply. The guy I dealt with is very smooth and has a good routine.

David Hermanson Integrty New Jersey Asbury Park

Date: 03/17/01

Encounter

Hi folks...there's another scammer out there. He's calling from Dallas--pay phone number 214-823-0020. He has a directory and is claiming to call having been beaten and robbed. He wants you to send money to Western Union. He used the name of one of our other Integrity members and told my husband that he was calling with "code name Integrity". But, there's no telephone number to call him back. (hmmmm)

Date: 11/02/04

Encounter

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