Can I allow access to our directory or celebrations page without logging in?

Unfortunately, due to security concerns, it is not possible to publicly view a church's directory or celebrations page without requiring a login.

Allowing public access to the directory or the celebrations page presents a serious security risk. There have been numerous recent incidents where phishing attacks targeted church communities, using personal information of congregants to create convincing and deceptive messages. These attacks have been sophisticated enough to deceive even experienced church staff.

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has specifically warned about scams targeting worshipers. The FTC highlights that criminals have been using church directories to deceive congregants into sending gift cards or other forms of payment, often impersonating church leaders or staff members. These types of scams can be especially effective when attackers exploit personal details, which is why protecting access to these pages is so critical. For more information on how these scams work, visit the FTC's consumer alert here: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2019/07/worshipers-targeted-gift-card-scam.

Additionally, an emerging variation of this scam has been encountered by one of Adjace's customers. Scammers are now sending emails with messages such as:
"Hi, I'm a little old lady who goes to your church and can't figure out my phone. Can you send me a PDF of the directory?"

This tactic attempts to exploit the goodwill of staff members by presenting a fabricated, harmless-sounding request. The goal is often to gain access to sensitive information or create a false sense of urgency. This is another example of why restricting access to the directory and celebrations pages is crucial to maintaining the security and safety of our community.

If you would like more information about how to further enhance the security of your church's information in Adjace, please visit this FAQ: https://support.adjace.com/hc/en-us/articles/12553631040781-How-do-I-protect-against-phishing-attacks.