As digital scams increasingly target Catholic parishes and prominent figures within the Church, a new nationwide initiative titled “Protecting the Faithful” has been launched to equip Catholics with the knowledge and tools needed to identify and avoid fraud.
The campaign is spearheaded by Theresa Payton, CEO of cybersecurity firm Fortalice Solutions and former White House Chief Information Officer. Motivated by the heartbreaking stories of victims who were manipulated and defrauded under religious pretenses, Payton and her team are rolling out a proactive awareness strategy across Catholic communities.
“I’ve had victims on the other end of the phone, ashamed that they were a victim, crying, sending their hard-earned money to bad people,” Payton told Catholic News Agency. “Something must be done.”
The initiative is being introduced through parish bulletins, infographics, guides, videos, and social media platforms, especially targeting impersonation scams. Notable Catholic personalities, including actor Jonathan Roumie—known for portraying Jesus in The Chosen—have seen scammers impersonate them to solicit money from unsuspecting followers, often promising perks such as exclusive visits to filming sets or fan club leadership roles.
With the growing sophistication of digital fraud—especially through AI-generated voice clones, fake IDs, and convincing visuals—Payton warns the faithful to stay vigilant. She identified key red flags of impersonation scams:
Messages claiming to be from a “personal” or “backup” account of a known figure.
Requests to move conversations to encrypted apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.
Offers to join or lead fan clubs for a fee.
Suspicious links—never click them.
Beyond raising awareness, Payton emphasizes compassion for victims. “You’ve done nothing wrong. You’re not dumb. You’re a good person—and because you’re a good person, somebody took advantage of you.”
Victims are urged to report scams to local authorities and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov). Large-scale scam trends reported there can trigger federal investigations and public alerts.
Additionally, the Identity Theft Resource Center offers free guidance for those whose information has been compromised.
For Payton, this campaign is more than a professional duty—it is a spiritual calling. “I love being Catholic,” she said. “And part of what we’re called to do is to take the talents God gave us and invest those in a way that is pleasing to Him. If my team and I can do something to avoid another victim, then every moment we spend on this initiative is worth it.”
Credit: Originally reported by Francesca Pollio Fenton for Catholic News Agency (CNA), July 5, 2025.
