We have received reports from Temple David members who have received fraudulent e-mails purportedly from Rabbi Symons or from other Temple David members.
These e-mails are coming from spoofed (i.e., faked) addresses.
The Temple’s e-mail system has not been compromised, but affected individuals likely have Temple Members’ addresses in their contact lists.
The requests may include language such as:
- Hello are you available
- Please I need your assistance urgently
- Can you do me a favor
- Hi there I need a favor from you
- Do you have an Amazon account thanks
- Are you available
- I need a favor from you please email me back as soon as possible
- I have a favor to ask you
- Urgent favor email
Once you reply to the fake address, the respondent typically replies that they are too busy to converse but requests that you purchase gift cards (Amazon, iTunes, etc.) for their “emergency.”
If you receive a questionable e-mail from anyone, please:
- DO NOT REPLY TO THE ADDRESS
- DO NOT CLICK ON ANY LINKS IN THE MESSAGE
- REPORT THE MESSAGE*
- FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FBI at https://www.ic3.gov/
*You may need to find the reporting address on the internet. For example, you can report fake Comcast mail to abuse@comcast.net. Most e-mail providers use a similar address.
You can read more about these scams here:
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle article