Phishing is a type of fraud in which a hacker attempts to gather personal information or money by impersonating a legitimate and known person (like Fr. Bidwell). Hackers try to obtain any information that could help them pose as someone else, usually to steal money. Recently, parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati have seen an increase in phishing emails and text messages sent to staff members and parishioners from hackers posing as their pastor. Please check the sender's email address in any email you receive from someone posing as a member of the St. Teresa or St. William staff or clergy. All of the parish email addresses end in @stteresa-avila.org or @saintwilliam.com and, a staff or clergy member would never email or text you asking for a “favor” to purchase gift cards or wire money to them because of an emergency. If you are concerned that you have been emailed in a phishing attempt, please take these simple steps: 1. Do not respond to the sender 2. Forward the message to [email protected] or [email protected] so that a communications team member can check the validity of the message.