Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Updated: Florida Baptist Convention reports ‘incident of financial fraud’

  • May 10, 2023
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Florida, Latest News

Updated: Florida Baptist Convention reports ‘incident of financial fraud’

UPDATE: New details released by the Florida Baptist Convention on Monday (May 15) revealed that the convention is working with authorities to recover $700,000 that was stolen through “cybertargeting.” The theft was reportedly related to the convention’s Send Network Florida account in partnership with the North American Mission Board.

The Florida Baptist Convention released a statement on their website Wednesday (May 10) noting the convention had “experienced an incident of financial fraud.” The statement did not give any details on the amount of money involved in the crime against the convention.

The FBI and local law authorities are investigating the reported fraud. “The fraudulent transaction is related to a payment from our convention to one of our SBC entities,” the FBC said in their statement.  “We have reported this crime to the FBI, local law enforcement, our insurance carrier, our bank and our auditing firm.

“At this time, we have no reason to suspect malfeasance by any convention employees,” the statement noted. “Nevertheless, the convention is committed to fully investigating the matter.”

In addition, the statement said, the State Board of Missions Administrative and Finance committees have formed a sub-committee to “provide oversight to the audit investigation and recommended next steps based on the audit’s findings.” The FBC noted that its financial reserves will help the state convention honor any commitments involving partnering churches and ministries that have been impacted by the reported fraud.

“These types of attacks continue to plague organizations of all sizes and scopes,” the FBC said. “We encourage pastors and churches to remain diligent with the security of their IT and financial systems.

“This specifically includes critically scrutinizing any and all requests — even those from a supposedly well-known source — that request a shift from historical payment practices.”

See full statement below:

We are writing to share some disheartening news with you. The Florida Baptist Convention has experienced an incident of financial fraud. The fraudulent transaction is related to a payment from our convention to one of our SBC entities. We have reported this crime to the FBI, local law enforcement, our insurance carrier, our bank and our auditing firm.

This fraud was accomplished with a general knowledge of the communications and practice between the SBC entity and the convention. An investigation is being launched to determine how this knowledge was gained. At this time, we have no reason to suspect malfeasance by any convention employees. Nevertheless, the convention is committed to fully investigating the matter.

In addition, the State Board of Missions Administrative and Finance committees have formed a sub-committee to provide oversight to the audit investigation and recommended next steps based on the audit’s findings.

As you can imagine, our convention staff and state board of missions is distraught over this loss of financial resources. It is our desire in all that we do to bring glory to our Lord and Savior, and to continue earning the trust of the churches we serve when we distribute the sacrificial resources given through tithes and offerings. Due to the reserves already in place, the commitments we have made to support churches and cooperating ministries serving the state of Florida will all be honored.

These types of attacks continue to plague organizations of all sizes and scopes. We encourage pastors and churches to remain diligent with the security of their IT and financial systems. This specifically includes critically scrutinizing any and all requests — even those from a supposedly well-known source—that request a shift from historical payment practices.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions. We covet your prayers for the convention staff and state board of missions as we navigate forward in a way that prevents financial loss in the future. We continue to stand “right beside you”, knowing that God is working mightily among our Florida Baptist churches.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written and originally published by the Florida Baptist Convention.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Changed lives take time, ‘patience’ in historic Nevada town
    Changed lives take time, ‘patience’ in historic Nevada town
    September 28, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • First person: 10 guidelines when studying the Bible’s tough passages
    First person: 10 guidelines when studying the Bible’s tough passages
    September 27, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • ‘Fluid’ situation: Chinese human rights lawyer’s whereabouts uncertain
    ‘Fluid’ situation: Chinese human rights lawyer’s whereabouts uncertain
    September 27, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Changed lives take time, ‘patience’ in historic Nevada town

“To reach people, it takes a lot of honesty, one-on-one conversations and consistency,” pastor Austin White told The Baptist Paper. He could have added “patience.”

white book on table

First person: 10 guidelines when studying the Bible’s tough passages

How do you deal with tough passages in Scripture, especially with those difficult passages that challenge such comforting doctrines as eternal security?

‘Fluid’ situation: Chinese human rights lawyer’s whereabouts uncertain

The exact whereabouts of human rights lawyer Lu Siwei, who was arrested in Laos in July, appear uncertain.

33rd annual See You at the Pole draws ‘wholehearted’ students for prayer

This morning (Sept. 27), students across the country gathered a little earlier than usual at their schools for the 33rd annual See You at the Pole student-led prayer event.

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Manage Online Access Account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Manage Online Access Account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel