If you have received an email or phone call from someone claiming to be from CAFOD, here is how you can check whether it's fraudulent behaviour.
If you receive a phone call or email which you believe may be fraud, contact us on 0303 303 3030 or report it to Action Fraud.
If you have signed up to one of our e-newsletters or if you have contacted CAFOD you may receive emails from one of these addresses:
cafod@cafod.org.uk
news@reply.cafod.net
campaign@cafod.org.uk
resources@cafod.org.uk
worldgifts@cafod.org.uk
noreply@salesforce.com.
The following is a list of specific fraudulent activity we have been made aware of.
Facebook and email scam – 2019
We understand fraudsters pretending to be Bishop John Arnold or a representative of CAFOD may be contacting members of the public under the pretence of offering employment or funding for projects overseas. They may be using Facebook, email and other methods of online communication. If you are unexpectedly contacted by someone saying they are from CAFOD, please do not provide any personal or financial details. Do not respond and alert us on 0303 303 3030 or report it to Action Fraud, the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre.
Phone scam – June 2017
We understand fraudsters pretending to be from CAFOD may be phoning members of the public. If you receive an unexpected call from someone saying they are from CAFOD, please do not provide any personal or financial details. Hang up and alert us on 0303 303 3030 or report it to Action Fraud, the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre.
Email scam – March 2010
CAFOD supporters should beware of an email scam currently being circulated claiming to be from CAFOD director Chris Bain.
With the subject line "CAFOD CHARITABLE ORGANISATION”, the email claims the receiver of the message has been appointed the legal recipient of a fund worth $200,000 to help alleviate poverty among widows and orphans. The email asks you to provide your full address and phone numbers.
This email has been created and emailed out fraudently. If you receive this email immediately delete it from your system, and report it to your IT department or supplier.
Email scam – November 2009
With the subject line "CAFOD", the email claims to offer the chance to earn a weekly income while supporting "human development and social justice" work overseas, and also includes some snippets of CAFOD history.
It also includes an application form to be filled in and returned to an email address of easternexp@uymail.com for "correspondance purposes".
This email has been compiled and emailed out fraudently. If you receive this email immediately delete it from your system, and report it to your IT department or supplier.
It is also important to note that whoever is behind this scam should not be confused with Franck Bura, who is the coordinator of CAFOD's partner GRAPI - the Research and Action Group for Peace - in the DRC, and who is closely involved in our ongoing Unearth Justice campaign.
Email scam – 2008
With the subject line "Our 2008 Director In Your Region", the email claims the recipient has "been chosen for this year director in your region on 'help the needed'".
It asks for the recipient to contact Mark Neal through barrmarkneal@yahoo.de, and finishes with the sign-off "May GOD bless you" from Mrs. Faith Anderson, claiming to be P.R.O at The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.
This email has been created and emailed out fraudently. If you receive this email immediately delete it from your system, and report it to your IT department or supplier.
Email scam – 2008
Claiming to be "FROM THE DESK OF: Rt Rev John Rawsthorne, Bishop of Hallam, CAFOD" invites the recipient "into our team of World Wide Life-Savers".
It asks the receiver to "work as a Payment Representative for us in the US", includes a job description, main requirements, and application form, and asks for "all correspondence" to be sent to Johnraw16@gmail.com
It would appear those writing these emails have used publicly-available information about CAFOD and our partners in order to attempt to give the scams an air of authenticity.
This email has been created and emailed out fraudently. If you receive this email immediately delete it from your system, and report it to your IT department or supplier.