In this episode of A Resounding Yes! podcast, host Christina Sabo speaks with Theresa Payton, the first female White House Chief Information Officer and a leading authority on cybersecurity, about the alarming rise of cybercrime targeting religious communities. Together, they explore how scammers prey on trust, faith, and emotion—particularly within Catholic circles—and why the elderly are among the most vulnerable.

Theresa explains the psychology behind these schemes, the role of social media in enabling fraudulent behavior, and the disturbing trend of criminals impersonating beloved Catholic clergy and public figures. Throughout the conversation, she provides actionable steps for prevention, recovery, and reporting, empowering listeners to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Key points discussed include:

Scammers frequently impersonate well-known Catholic leaders, such as Cardinal Dolan, Fr. Mike Schmitz, or Jonathan Roumie, creating fake “side accounts” to solicit money, gift cards, or personal information.
Legitimate priests and public figures will never ask for donations or private details via DM, WhatsApp, or secret groups.
If you’ve been scammed, Theresa urges victims to immediately contact their bank, report the fraud, and preserve screenshots as evidence.
Fraud should always be reported to the FBI (www.ic3.gov) and the Federal Trade Commission (https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/) to help identify patterns and target criminal networks.
Free, compassionate support is available through the Identity Theft Resource Center (https://www.idtheftcenter.org/victim-help-center/
or 888.400.5530).
These crimes often exploit the trust of devout Catholics, especially seniors, by using emotional manipulation and religious language.
Catholic parishes and media outlets should take an active role in spreading awareness through alerts, workshops, and family conversations.
As Fr. Mike’s team emphasizes: “If it feels strange, it probably is. Fr. Mike will NEVER direct message you asking for donations, gifts, or personal information.” (Ascension Help Desk, 2024)

This episode is a crucial resource for families, parishes, and faith-based organizations seeking to stay vigilant, stay informed, and help safeguard the most vulnerable members of the Church against the growing threat of digital fraud.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and Faith
01:52 The Rise of Scams in the Digital Age
06:44 Understanding Scammers' Tactics
09:35 Targeting Religious Communities
15:42 The Financial Impact of Scams
18:45 Recovering from Scams and Prevention Strategies
21:23 Understanding Fraud and Recovery Steps
28:34 The Emotional Impact of Fraud on Victims
29:

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